PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10980140-B2
Application Number: US-202016879525-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Device enclosure

Abstract:
An element for an electronic device can include a metal exterior portion including a first material, an interior portion including a second, independently selected material, and an engagement feature formed on a surface defined by the exterior and interior portions. The engagement feature can mechanically engage a material molded to the surface. A method for forming an element for an electronic device can include joining a boss to a member, forming a feature in the member while orienting the member via the boss, and at least partially removing the boss to form the element. An electronic device can include a frame defining an interior volume of the device, a display component, a transparent cover positioned adjacent to the display component, and an encapsulating material at least partially surrounding the display component and joining the display component to the frame.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device, comprising:
 a frame that at least partially defines an exterior surface and an internal volume_of the electronic device; 
 a display component; 
 a transparent cover defining a major surface and a first edge, the transparent cover disposed adjacent to the display component and the frame; and 
 an encapsulating material in contact with and at least partially surrounding a periphery of the display component, the encapsulating material bonded to the transparent cover and positioned at least partially within the internal volume, the encapsulating material defining a second edge, the second edge bonded to the frame and aligned with the first edge in a plane along the frame. 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the first edge and the second edge are substantially parallel to, and spaced apart from, a wall of the frame element. 
     
     
       3. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein an active area defined by the display component is spaced apart from the surface of the frame by less than about 2 millimeters. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the encapsulating material bonds the display component to the frame. 
     
     
       5. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the encapsulating material is bonded to the frame with an adhesive. 
     
     
       6. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the encapsulating material comprises an epoxy. 
     
     
       7. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the encapsulating material comprises a ceramic or a glass reinforced polymer. 
     
     
       8. A method of forming an electronic device, comprising:
 surrounding at least a portion of a periphery of a display component with a moldable material; 
 positioning a transparent cover adjacent to the display component, the transparent cover defining a major surface and a first edge; 
 bonding the transparent cover to the moldable material; and 
 bonding the moldable material to the frame such that a second edge defined by the moldable material is substantially aligned with the first edge in a plane along the frame; 
 the frame at least partially defining an exterior surface of the electronic device. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein bonding the moldable material to the frame comprises bonding the moldable material to the frame with an adhesive. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , wherein bonding the moldable material to the frame comprises directly bonding the moldable material to the frame. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 8 , wherein at least partially surrounding a periphery of a display component with the moldable material further comprises solidifying the moldable material.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is a divisional from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/417,590, filed 20 May 2019, and entitled “DEVICE ENCLOSURE,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/784,066, filed 21 Dec. 2018, and entitled “DEVICE ENCLOSURE,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The described embodiments relate generally to electronic devices. More particularly, the present embodiments relate to enclosures for electronic devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices are widespread in society and can take a variety of forms, from wristwatches to computers. Electronic devices, including portable electronic devices such as handheld phones, tablet computers, and watches, can experience contact with various surfaces during use. Further, use, transportation, and storage of such devices can exert mechanical and thermal stresses thereon. 
     Components for these devices, such as enclosures or housings, can benefit from exhibiting different combinations of properties relating to the use of the device. A housing for a portable electronic device can have a combination of properties, such as strength, appearance, toughness, abrasion resistance, weight, corrosion resistance, thermal conductivity, electromagnetic shielding, and cost, in order for the device to function as desired. Certain materials can provide a desired level of performance with respect to some properties, but may not provide an optimal level of performance with respect to other others. Thus, it can be desirable to provide a device enclosure including multiple materials to achieve a desired combination of somewhat disparate properties. 
     Further, the combination of multiple materials in complex design configurations can introduce complications into traditional manufacturing processes. For example, device enclosures formed of multiple materials can require increased processing time, material, and cost when manufactured using traditional techniques. In some examples, common manufacturing processes may not be able to produce a device enclosure with a desired combination of properties. Accordingly, it can be desirable to provide processing and manufacturing techniques that can allow for efficient, low cost, and low waste production of device enclosures having a desired combination of differing properties. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a method of forming a frame element for an electronic device can include joining a boss to an elongate frame member, forming a feature in the frame member by a manufacturing process, wherein the frame member is oriented in one or more desired positions during the manufacturing process via the boss, and removing the boss from the frame member to form the frame element. 
     In some examples, the manufacturing process can be a subtractive manufacturing process and the boss can be configured to engage a positioning apparatus and to mechanically support the frame member as the positioning apparatus orients the frame member in the one or more desired positions to allow for removal of material from a desired portion of the frame member during the subtractive manufacturing process. Removing the boss can include removing material from the boss to form a feature on the frame member. The manufacturing process can include a machining process. Joining can include welding, brazing, diffusion bonding, or adhering, for example, by gluing. 
     According to some aspects, a housing of an electronic device can include a pre-formed outer portion including a first material having a first set of material properties, the outer portion at least partially defining a feature and an exterior surface of the electronic device, an inner portion including a second material having a second set of material properties independent of the first set of material properties, the inner portion at least partially defining the feature and an inner volume of the electronic device, the inner portion being joined to the pre-formed outer portion to form a composite body, and an engagement feature configured to mechanically engage a moldable material, the engagement feature positioned at a surface of the housing defined by the inner portion and the pre-formed outer portion. 
     In some examples, the engagement feature can include at least one of a nano-structured or micro-structured feature. The engagement feature can be formed by an etching or machining process. The engagement feature can be formed by an additive manufacturing process. 
     According to some aspects, a method of forming a component for an electronic device can include joining a metal portion including a first material having a first material property to a second portion including a second material having a second material property independent of the first material property, forming one or more features in the second portion, and treating a surface defined by the metal portion and the second portion to form an engagement feature. 
     In some examples, the method can further include molding a material to the surface to mechanically engage the engagement feature. Joining can include welding, brazing, diffusion bonding, die casting the second material into the metal portion, or adhering. Treating the surface can include etching the surface or depositing material onto the surface. 
     According to some aspects, an electronic device can include a frame element including a surface that at least partially defines an exterior surface of the electronic device, a display component, a transparent cover disposed adjacent to the display component, and an encapsulating material in contact with and at least partially surrounding a periphery of the display component, the encapsulating material bonded to the frame element and positioned interior to the surface. 
     In some examples, an edge of the transparent cover and an edge of the moldable material can be aligned in a plane. The plane can be substantially parallel to and spaced apart from a wall of the frame element. The encapsulating material can be bonded to the frame element with an adhesive. 
     According to some aspects, a method of forming an electronic device can include at least partially surrounding a periphery of a display component with a moldable material, positioning a transparent cover adjacent to a surface of the display component, and joining the display component and transparent cover to a frame element at least partially defining an exterior surface of the electronic device by the moldable material. 
     In some examples, joining can include bonding the frame element to the moldable material with an adhesive. An edge of the transparent cover and an edge of the moldable material can be substantially aligned in a plane and the plane is substantially parallel to and spaced apart from a wall of the frame element. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an electronic device. 
         FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of an electronic device. 
         FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of a housing of an electronic device. 
         FIG. 4A  shows an exploded perspective view of a component of an electronic device. 
         FIG. 4B  shows a perspective view of a component of an electronic device. 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a portion of a housing of an electronic device. 
         FIG. 6  shows another perspective view of the portion of the housing of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  shows a top view of the portion of the housing of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  shows a side view of the portion of the housing of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 9A  shows a perspective view of a component of an electronic device. 
         FIG. 9B  shows a perspective view of a component of an electronic device. 
         FIG. 10  shows a close-up perspective view of a portion of a housing of an electronic device. 
         FIG. 11  shows a close-up perspective view of a portion of a housing of an electronic device. 
         FIG. 12  shows a profile view of a housing of an electronic device. 
         FIG. 13  shows a process flow diagram of a method for forming a component for an electronic device. 
         FIG. 14  shows a process flow diagram of stages of a method for forming a component for an electronic device. 
         FIG. 15  shows a process flow diagram of a method for forming a component for an electronic device. 
         FIG. 16  shows a stage of a process for forming a component for an electronic device. 
         FIG. 17  shows a stage of a process for forming a component for an electronic device. 
         FIG. 18  shows a stage of a process for forming a component for an electronic device. 
         FIG. 19  shows a stage of a process for forming a component for an electronic device. 
         FIG. 20  shows a process flow diagram of stages of a method for forming an electronic device. 
         FIG. 21  shows an exploded view of an electronic device. 
         FIG. 22  shows an exploded cross-sectional view of an electronic device. 
         FIG. 23  shows a cross-sectional view of the electronic device of  FIG. 21 . 
         FIG. 24  shows a process flow diagram of a method for forming an electronic device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present description provides examples, and is not limiting of the scope, applicability, or configuration set forth in the claims. Thus, it will be understood that changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements discussed without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, and various embodiments can omit, substitute, or add other procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, methods described can be performed in an order different from that described, and various steps can be added, omitted, or combined. Also, features described with respect to some embodiments can be combined in other embodiments. 
     One aspect of the present disclosure relates to composite housings or enclosures for electronic devices, and methods of forming the same. A composite housing, or component of a housing, can include a pre-formed exterior or outer portion, also referred to as a shell, having a first set of material properties; and an interior or inner portion, also referred to as a core, having a second, different set of material properties that are independent of the first set of material properties. The pre-formed exterior portion can include a metallic material, such as stainless steel. The interior portion can include a metallic material such as aluminum. The pre-formed exterior portion and the interior portion can be welded, bonded, adhered, or otherwise joined together such that they form the housing, or a portion thereof, and act as a composite body. In some cases, the composite body can be treated as unitary body with respect to machining, manufacturing, assembly, or other processes. The pre-formed outer portion and the inner portion can together define an engagement feature that can mechanically engage with a moldable material positioned at a surface of the composite component, including the outer portion and the inner portion. The moldable material can mechanically engage the engagement feature and join or bond the composite housing to one or more components mounts, or enclosures. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to methods of forming components or elements of an electronic device, such as a frame, an enclosure, a housing, and other device elements. In some examples, a method for forming an element of a housing or enclosure can include joining multiple bosses to an elongate member, such as a composite body or a unitary body. The bosses can be joined to a face of the elongate member, for example, by welding or an adhesive, and can be mechanically engaged by an apparatus to position and orient the elongate member in any number of desired positions during a manufacturing or forming process. Features can then be formed in the elongate member by a process, such as machining, with the apparatus positioning the elongate member in a desired position, via the bosses, to facilitate the machining process. For example, the elongate member can be rotated to facilitate the machining of features such that the elongate member is at a reduced risk of damage from the machining process. In some examples, the bosses can then be removed from the elongate member, for example by machining or cutting, to form the element. In other examples, however, the bosses can remain on the elongate member and form one or more features of the elongate member. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure includes an electronic device having an encapsulating material at least partially surrounding a display component, and methods of forming the same. In some examples, an electronic device can include a frame, an enclosure, or a housing, for example, as described herein. The electronic device can include a display component and a transparent cover disposed adjacent to a major surface of the display component; the transparent cover at least partially defining an exterior surface of the electronic device. An encapsulating material, such as a moldable polymer material, can contact and at least partially surround a periphery of the display component. Further, the encapsulating material can be positioned in an interior volume of the electronic device and can be directly bonded to the frame to retain the display component in the electronic device with fewer or with no additional mounting components. 
     Other exemplary methods and apparatuses described herein include methods for forming an engagement feature on the surface of a composite component including a first material and a second material. The engagement feature can allow for the assembly of device enclosures that have desired mechanical or chemical properties, while still providing for the transmission of electromagnetic waves, for example as used in inductive charging or wireless communication, through the enclosure. Such methods can provide device enclosures including composite components that allow for the decoupling of the material properties of the interior, primarily structural or functional portion of the housing from the exterior, primarily cosmetic portion of the housing. In some examples, a composite component can include an inner portion joined or bonded to a pre-formed outer portion, where the materials of each portion are independently selected. That is, the material of the inner portion can be selected in order to optimize one or more properties of the composite housing while the material of the exterior portion can be independently selected to optimize one or more other desired properties of the housing. For example, the material and/or geometry of the inner portion can be selected in order achieve a desired level of strength, weight, stiffness, cost, thermal conductivity, electromagnetic transparency, machinability, carbon footprint, recyclability, other properties, or combinations thereof. Meanwhile, the material and/or geometry of the exterior portion can be independently selected in order to achieve any of the above properties or a desired level of hardness, corrosion resistance, scratch resistance, cosmetic finish, other properties, or combinations thereof. 
     Frames or enclosures including components formed from electrically conductive materials can also include portions formed from insulating materials, such as polymers, to allow for the transmission of electromagnetic waves through the enclosure. In some examples, an insulating material can be used to join or bond two components, such as conductive components, to form the enclosure. Traditional methods of forming device enclosures from frame components can include the formation of engagement features on a surface of the component that can be mechanically engaged by an insulating material. Such features can be formed by, for example, etching processes. 
     Traditional formation processes, such as traditional etching processes, are not well suited for the formation of composite components, such as one with a steel exterior and an aluminum interior. In some examples, as described herein, methods are described for forming engagement features on a surface of a composite component defined by the interior portion and the exterior portion. In some examples, such features can be formed by, for example, etching the interior portion with a process that does not etch the exterior portion, and etching the exterior portion with a process that does not etch the interior portion, thereby forming an engagement feature. The formation of such features allows for an enclosure to be formed by bonding or joining two or more composite components with an insulating material, via the engagement feature, as described herein. 
     The methods, components, and devices described herein provide for the manufacture of electronic devices including enclosures or housings that have reduced costs, desired mechanical, chemical, or physical properties, and/or desired geometries. For example, methods for forming components such as frame elements for electronic devices can allow for faster production of components with reduced material waste, as compared to traditional methods of manufacturing. Further, in some examples, methods for forming components including joining one or more bosses to a machinable member can allow for the formation of unique or desired component geometries that can be too expensive or time-consuming to form by other techniques. By utilizing bosses joined to a member to manipulate the member during feature formation, these methods can allow for the precise orientation of the member in any number of desired positions to facilitate feature formation. Whereas traditional methods of forming features, such as by machining a stationary member, can produce substantially more material waste and can involve longer machining times or increased wear on the machining apparatus. 
     It is also desirable for a display of an electronic device to occupy or define as much of the exterior surface of an electronic device as possible, to provide a user with a large area to display visual content while keeping the overall size of the device relatively small. Accordingly, in some examples, such as when an electronic device includes a peripheral frame or enclosure, it can be desirable to position the display close to an edge of the frame or enclosure. Traditional methods of securing displays and display components to device frames and enclosures, however, typically include additional support components that are joined to both the frame and the display component. These support components can add increased cost and assembly time during device manufacturing, and can also increase the distance between the display component and the edge of the frame, resulting in a reduced display area. In some examples, as described herein, an electronic device can include a display component and an encapsulating material in contact with and at least partially surrounding a periphery of the display component. In some examples, the encapsulating material can be bonded directly to the frame, enclosure, or housing of an electronic device and positioned within an interior volume of the device. In other examples, the encapsulating material can be a polymer material, such as an epoxy or resin. While traditional mounting or support components for displays are metal, by making the encapsulating material a polymer, it can provide for increased shock absorption and impact resistance relative to a metal support components, thereby protecting the display from mechanical stresses that can be experienced by the device. For example, during a drop event, the encapsulating material can reduce the amount of mechanical stress experience by the display component relative to a similar device including a traditional mounting component. 
     According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a housing, frame, or enclosure of an electronic device can include a composite component. As described herein, a composite component can include a pre-formed exterior or outer portion, also referred to as a shell, having a first set of material properties. The pre-formed exterior portion can include a metallic material, polymeric material, ceramic material, or combinations thereof. The composite housing can also include an interior or inner portion, also referred to as a core, having a second, different set of material properties that are independent of the first set of material properties. For example, the interior portion can include a metallic material, polymeric material, ceramic material, or combinations thereof. The pre-formed exterior portion and the interior portion can be welded, bonded, adhered, or otherwise joined together such that they form the housing or a portion thereof and act as a composite body. 
     In some examples, the composite component can include one or more engagement features formed in or on a surface defined by both the interior portion and the exterior portion. In some examples, these engagement features can range in size from nano- or micro-scaled features to macro-scale features having dimensions on the order or millimeters. In some examples, an engagement feature can include a shape such that moldable material can flow or be provided into or around the engagement feature. In some examples, the engagement feature can be such that upon cooling, curing, hardening, or otherwise solidifying, the moldable material mechanically engages the feature to retain the moldable material on the composite component. 
     In some examples, two or more composite components including engagement features as described herein can be joined by a moldable material that engages the engagement features of both composite components. In some examples, for example, multiple composite components can thus be joined to form a housing, enclosure, or frame of an electronic device as described herein. The moldable material can include any desired material and can, in some examples, include an electrically insulating material or an electromagnetically transparent material. In some examples, the moldable material can serve to electrically isolate a composite component from a second composite component. In some examples, the moldable material can be a polymer material, such as epoxy, resin, and other similar polymer materials. 
     In some examples, an engagement feature can be formed on or in a surface of a composite component defined by an interior portion and an exterior portion by any number of additive or subtractive processes. In some examples, an engagement feature formation process can form an engagement feature on a part of the surface defined by the interior portion, but may not form an engagement feature on the part of the surface defined by the exterior portion. In some examples, the engagement feature formation process can additionally form an engagement feature on a part of the surface defined by the exterior portion, but may not form an engagement feature on the part of the surface defined by the interior portion. That is, in some examples, a process for forming an engagement feature can form the feature on only one part of the surface defined by one of the interior or exterior portion during one stage and can form an engagement feature on a part of the surface defined by the other portion during a second stage. 
     In some examples, formation of an engagement feature can be designed to only affect or substantially affect the material of one of the interior or exterior portions. In some examples, the part of the surface defined by one of the interior or exterior portions can be masked or otherwise treated so that a stage of the engagement feature formation process only affects or forms features on the unmasked, or untreated portion. Alternatively, an engagement feature formation process can form an engagement feature or features on a part of the surface defined by both the interior portion and the exterior portion. That is, in some examples, an engagement feature formation process can affect and form features on or in the material of both the interior portion and the exterior portion of a composite component. 
     Formation of an engagement feature can include a subtractive process such as machining, etching, laser-based processes, cutting, grinding, and other subtractive processes. In some examples, an engagement feature can be formed by an additive process, such as a deposition process, a spraying process, a 3D printing process, and other similar additive processes. Alternatively, multiple processes can be used to form the engagement feature or features. 
     In some examples, a method of forming a component for an electronic device can include joining one or more bosses to a member. The member can be a composite body including one or more materials that can optionally have been subjected to processing or treatment prior to joining the one or more bosses. For example, the member can be a composite piece including two or more materials, such as polymer materials, ceramic materials, metal materials, or combinations thereof. Alternatively, however, the member can include two or more portions that have been joined or bonded together to form a composite body. For example, the member can be a composite body as described herein, having an exterior portion including a first material and an interior portion including a second, independently selected material. Further, in some examples, one or more features can be formed in the member prior to or at the same time the bosses are joined to the member. 
     In some examples, a composite member can include a pre-formed exterior or outer portion, also referred to as a shell, having a first set of material properties. The pre-formed exterior portion can include a metallic material, such as stainless steel. The composite member can also include an interior or inner portion, referred to as a core, having a second, different set of material properties that are independent of the first set of material properties. For example, the interior portion can include a metallic material such as aluminum. The pre-formed exterior portion and the interior portion can be welded, bonded, adhered, or otherwise joined together such that they form the member and act as a composite body. 
     In some examples, the interior or inner portion of the composite member can include any material that has a desired material property or properties and can be welded, bonded, adhered, or otherwise joined to an exterior portion. For example, the interior portion can include organic materials such as polymeric materials, ceramic materials, metallic materials, or combinations thereof. In some examples, the interior portion can include a metallic material such as aluminum, copper, steel, or alloys or combinations thereof. In some examples, the interior portion can include a metallic material having a foamed structure or a bulk metallic glass. In some examples, the interior portion can itself be a composite material, such as a carbon reinforced polymer material, ceramic reinforced polymer material, a metal matrix composite material, a ceramic matrix composite material, or other composite materials. The interior portion can have any desired thickness. For example, the interior portion of the composite member can have a thickness of several millimeters. In other examples, however, the interior portion of the composite member can have a thickness such that it extends substantially entirely across an entire width of the electronic device. 
     In some examples, the exterior or outer portion of the composite member can include any material that has a desired material property or properties and can be welded, bonded, adhered, or otherwise joined to an interior portion. For example, the exterior portion can include organic materials such as polymeric materials, ceramic materials, metallic materials, or combinations thereof. In some examples, the exterior portion can include a metallic material such as steel, titanium, or alloys or combinations thereof. In other examples, the exterior portion can include precious or semi-precious metals such as silver, gold, platinum, or alloys or combinations thereof. Alternatively, the exterior portion can include ceramic materials, such as alumina or sapphire, zirconia, carbides, nitrides, borides, oxides, or combinations thereof. The exterior portion can further include a metallic material such as a bulk metallic glass. In some examples, the exterior portion can itself be a composite material, such as a carbon reinforced polymer material, ceramic reinforced polymer material, a metal matrix composite material, a ceramic matrix composite material, or other composite materials. 
     The exterior portion of the composite member can be a pre-formed or standalone article prior to being joined to the inner portion. That is, in some examples, the material of the exterior portion can be a unitary body, such as a blank, bar, strip, or piece of material. In other examples, however, the exterior portion can be formed from multiple bodies that are joined to the interior portion to form the composite member. In some examples, the exterior portion is not a coating and is not grown, deposited, coated, or otherwise formed on the interior portion. The exterior portion of the composite member can have a thickness of greater than about 25 microns, greater than about 50 microns, greater than about 100 microns, 200 microns, 300 microns, 400 microns, 500 microns, or greater. In some examples, the exterior portion can have a thickness of up to about 1 millimeter, up to about 2 millimeters, or up to about 5 millimeters or more. Further, in some examples, the exterior portion can have a thickness that varies along one or more positions of the exterior portion. 
     The exterior portion and interior portion of the composite member can be joined by any methods now known in the art or that can be developed in the future. In some examples, the exterior portion can be joined directly to the interior portion, such that a surface of the exterior portion directly contacts, abuts, is fused to, is bonded to, or otherwise is directly joined to the interior portion. The exterior portion can be joined to the interior portion by welding, for example ultrasonic welding or laser welding, brazing, diffusion bonding, fusing, adhering, or other similar methods. In some instances, the exterior portion can form a metallurgical bond with the interior portion along at least a portion of the interface between the exterior and interior portions. 
     In some examples, the exterior and interior are secured together with the use of an adhesive or other material. For example, the exterior and interior portions can be joined or secured together by a glue or adhesive, such as a resin or epoxy, by a heat activated film, by an injection molded plastic, or other similar adhesives. In some examples, the exterior and interior portions can alternatively or additionally be joined together via mechanical engagement between the portions. For example, features of the exterior portion can mechanically engage features of the interior portion to mechanically join the portions together. These engagement features can range in size from nano- or micro-scaled features to macro-scale features having dimensions on the order of millimeters, and various combinations thereof. 
     In some examples, the interior portion can be formed into or onto the exterior portion such that a mechanical, metallurgical, other type of bond, or combinations thereof, joins the exterior and interior portions. For example, the interior portion can be cast, molded, such as by metal injection molding, or otherwise formed into the pre-formed exterior portion. In this way, the material of the interior portion can flow into features on the surface of the exterior portion such that when the material of the interior portion solidifies, for example by cooling or curing, a mechanical, metallurgical, or other type of bond is formed between the interior and exterior portions. 
     In some examples, the composite elongate member can include features formed thereon, or therein, prior to joining one or more bosses to the member. For example, the member can be subjected to treatment or processing to define a substantially flat surface that one or more bosses can be joined to. Further, a surface of the member to which a boss or bosses can be joined can be subject to treatment, for example an etching or cleaning process, to facilitate the joining process. The member can have any desired shape or size, although in some examples, the composite member can be an elongate member, having a length that is greater than a width or height of the member. In some examples, the member can have a length of up to about 1 centimeter, about 2 centimeters, about 3 centimeters, about 5 centimeters, about 10 centimeters, about 20 centimeters, about 30 centimeters, or about 50 centimeters or more. In some examples, the member can have a height and/or width from 1 millimeter or less up to 50 centimeters, or even larger. 
     In some examples, the member can have a substantially uniform cross-section along its length, although in some other examples the cross-section of the member can vary along its length. The member can have a cross-section of any shape, or shapes. In some examples, the member can have a substantially rectangular or square cross section, or a round cross-section. In some embodiments, the member can have a cross-sectional shape that is substantially rectangular, with one or more of the sides of the rectangle having a curved shape 
     The boss or bosses can be joined to the member, either temporarily or permanently, as desired. In some examples, any method or process can be used to join a boss to the member. A boss can be joined to a surface of the member by any method now known in the art, or that can be developed in the future. In some examples, a boss can be joined directly to the member, such that a surface of the boss directly contacts, abuts, is fused to, is bonded to, or is otherwise directly joined to the member. In some examples, the boss can be joined to the member by welding, for example ultrasonic welding or laser welding, brazing, diffusion bonding, fusing, adhering, or other similar joining methods. In some instances, the boss can form a metallurgical bond with the member along at least a portion of the interface between the boss and the member. 
     In some examples, a boss and the member can be joined together with the use of an adhesive or another joining material. For example, in some examples, the boss and the member can be joined by a glue or adhesive, such as a resin or epoxy, by a heat activated film, by an injection molded plastic, and other similar adhesives. In some examples, the boss and member can alternatively or additionally be joined together via mechanical engagement between the boss and member. For example, features of the boss can mechanically engage features of the member to mechanically join the boss and member together. In some examples, these engagement features can range in size from nano- or micro-scaled features to macro-scale features having dimensions on the order or millimeters. 
     The boss or bosses can have any size or shape as desired. Further, where two or more bosses are joined to a member, the bosses can have substantially similar shapes, or the bosses can have a variety of shapes. In some examples, a height and/or width of a boss can be substantially similar to a height and/or width of the member. In some examples, a boss can have a substantially rectangular prismatic shape. In other examples, a boss can have a substantially rectangular prismatic shape with one or more edges of the rectangular prism being chamfered. The boss or bosses can be joined to the member at any desired location. In some examples, multiple bosses can be joined to a single surface of the member, although in other examples, bosses can be joined to multiple different surfaces of the member. The position of the boss or bosses in relation to the member can depend on the feature or features being formed in the member, the forming processes being used, and/or the positioning apparatus being used. 
     Further, the shape and size of the boss or bosses can depend on the feature or features being formed in the member, the forming processes being used, and/or the positioning apparatus being used. In some examples, the boss or bosses themselves can be, or can be formed into, a feature on the member. In such instances, the size, shape, and position of the boss or bosses can be determined by the desired feature to be formed. In some examples, a boss can include one or more features, for example, to engage a positioning apparatus. The shape of the boss itself can also depend on the positioning apparatus being used, and can be shaped to facilitate engagement with the apparatus. 
     The member can be formed into a frame, an enclosure, or a housing for an electronic device, or a component thereof. For example, as described herein, an enclosure for an electronic device can include multiple components that are joined together to form the enclosure. Accordingly, in some examples, the member can be formed into a component of such an enclosure. Thus, the formed component or element can be a frame component or element, a housing component or element, or an enclosure component or element. In some examples, however, the member can be formed into any component for an electronic device, including structural components, internal components, buttons, input components, and other similar components. 
     Once the boss or bosses have been joined to the member, they can be engaged by a positioning apparatus, to thereby support, position, and/or orient the member. In some examples, the positioning apparatus can mechanically support the member via the engaged boss or bosses. In other examples, a positioning apparatus can mechanically engage a boss, thereby supporting and positioning the member. In some examples, a positioning apparatus can engage a boss in alternative or additional ways, for example, by magnetically engaging with the boss, by adhering to the boss with an adhesive or glue, by electrostatic adhesion, or by any other method now known in the art or developed in the future. For example, the member can be rotated and/or translated about any combination of an x-axis, y-axis, and/or z-axis to achieve a desired orientation during the formation process, independently, simultaneously, or substantially simultaneously. 
     The positioning apparatus can mechanically engage the boss or bosses, for example, by grabbing, clamping, or engaging with one or more engagement features of a boss. In some examples, the positioning apparatus can additionally or alternatively engage a boss by other forms, for example, magnetic engagement, gluing, adhesives, welding, and other engagement methodologies. In some examples, a feature can be formed in the frame member, for example, while the positioning apparatus is supporting the member via one or more bosses. In some examples, a feature can be formed by an additive manufacturing process, a subtractive manufacturing process, or combinations thereof. For example, a feature can be formed in the member by a subtractive process such as machining, etching, laser-based processes, cutting, grinding, and other subtractive processes. In other examples, a feature can be formed in or on the member by an additive process, such as a deposition process, a 3D printing process, and similar additive processes. In yet other examples, multiple processes can be used to form a feature or features in the member. Further, multiple features can be formed in or on the member. 
     In some examples, one or more of the bosses that were joined to the member can be removed from the member, such as, for example, to form the element or component. In some instances, a boss can be completely removed from the member so that substantially no material from the boss remains joined or adhered to the member. In other examples, however, only a portion of a boss can be removed from the member, while some other portion or amount of material from the boss remains joined or adhered to the member. A boss or a portion of a boss can be removed by any desired process. For example, a boss or a portion of a boss can be removed from the member by processes such as machining, etching, laser-based processes, cutting, grinding, and similar processes. In some examples where material is removed from the boss and at least a portion of boss material remains joined to the member, removing such material can form one or more features on the frame member. For example, a boss can be joined to the member at a desired position and material can subsequently be removed from the boss to form a protruding feature on the member out of the joined boss material. 
     The member, including the features formed on or in the member, can be subjected to further processing or treatment after removing a boss or bosses. For example, the formed element or component can be subjected to surface treatment processes, further additive or subtractive manufacturing processes, or assembly processes to form a component or an electronic device, as described herein. 
     According to some aspects of the present disclosure, an electronic device can include a frame, an enclosure, or a housing at least partially defining an interior volume and an exterior surface of the electronic device. In some examples, the electronic device can include one or more display components and a transparent cover disposed adjacent to a major surface of the one or more display components and at least partially defining an exterior surface of the electronic device. Additionally, the device can include an encapsulating material that at least partially surrounds one or more of the display components and bonds directly to the frame, enclosure, or housing. In some examples, the encapsulating material can be positioned within the interior volume of the electronic device. 
     In some examples, the display and/or display components can be components for an LCD display, an LED display, an OLED display, a plasma display, a quantum dot display, or any other type of display known in the art or developed in the future. In some examples, the transparent cover can include any type of transparent material and can be, for example, glass, plastic or polymer material, or ceramic material such as sapphire. In some examples, the encapsulating material can be any form of desirable moldable material. For example, the encapsulating material can include a polymer material, such as an epoxy or resin. In some examples, the encapsulating material can be a composite material, such as a ceramic or glass reinforced polymer material. Alternatively, the moldable material can be a curable material, or a material that can be heated to a moldable form and then cooled to a solid form. 
     In some examples, the encapsulating material can at least partially surround the periphery of a display or display component. For example, where a display or display component can be substantially rectangular, the encapsulating material can at least partially surround, one, two, three, or all of the display or display components. The encapsulating material can surround substantially the entire periphery of a display or display component. Alternatively, the encapsulating material can at least partially surround a major surface of the display or display component. For example, the encapsulating material can at least partially surround the bottom major surface of a display component. 
     In some examples, the encapsulating material can be joined or bonded directly to the frame, housing, or enclosure of the electronic device. The encapsulating material can be joined to the frame, housing, or enclosure by any method known in the art or discovered in the future. For example, the encapsulating material can mechanically engage a feature on the frame, housing, or enclosure. In some examples, the encapsulating material can be joined by a chemical bond to the material of the frame, housing, or enclosure. In other examples, an adhesive can be used to join the encapsulating material to the frame, housing, or enclosure. Even though the encapsulating material may not directly contact the material of the frame, housing, or enclosure, the joining of the encapsulating material to the frame, housing, or enclosure with an adhesive is still considered to be direct bonding, as used herein. Alternatively, the encapsulating material itself can be or include an adhesive and can thus directly adhere to the frame, the housing, or the enclosure. 
     In some examples, the joined encapsulating material can physically support and/or retain the display or display components in a desired position in the electronic device. The encapsulating material can have shock absorbing properties, and can have a desired amount of flexibility, compressibility, or pliability so as to inhibit mechanical stresses that can be experienced by the frame, housing, or enclosure from extending to the display. Accordingly, the display can be positioned substantially closer to an edge of the frame, housing, or enclosure than in instances where traditional components are used to retain the display in the device. For example, the display can be positioned within about 1 millimeters, about 2 millimeters, about 3 millimeters, about 5 millimeters, or about 10 millimeters of an exterior surface of the display. In some examples, the display can be positioned such that the transparent cover can be substantially adjacent to the frame, housing, or enclosure. 
     In some examples, methods of forming an electronic device can include at least partially surrounding a display component with an encapsulating material, such as the encapsulating material described above. The encapsulating material can be provided to the display component in a moldable form to at least partially surround the display component. In some examples, the encapsulating material can be joined to the frame, housing, or enclosure while in a moldable form. In other examples, however, the encapsulating material can be hardened, cured, cooled, or otherwise solidified around the display component and then joined to the frame, housing, or enclosure. In some examples, the transparent cover can be positioned adjacent to a major surface of the display component prior to encapsulation. Alternatively, however, the transparent cover can be positioned adjacent to a major surface of the display component after the display component has been encapsulated, or even after the display component has be retained, by joining the encapsulating material to the frame, housing, or enclosure. 
     These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1-20 . The detailed description given herein with respect to these figures, however, is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of an electronic device  100 . The electronic device  100  shown in  FIG. 1  is a mobile wireless communication device (a smartphone, for example). The smartphone of  FIG. 1  is merely one representative example of a device that can be used in conjunction with the systems and methods disclosed herein. Electronic device  100  can correspond to any form of wearable electronic device, a portable media player, a media storage device, a portable digital assistant (“PDA”), a tablet computer, a computer, a mobile communication device, a GPS unit, a remote control device, or other electronic device. The electronic device  100  can be referred to as an electronic device or a consumer device. 
     The electronic device  100  can have a housing that includes a band or a frame  102  that defines an outer perimeter of the electronic device  100 . The band  102 , or portions thereof, can be or include a composite component, as described herein. In some examples, the band  102  can include several sidewall components, such as a first sidewall component  104 , a second sidewall component  106 , a third sidewall component  108  (opposite the first sidewall component  104 ), and a fourth sidewall component (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). The aforementioned sidewall components can be or include a composite component, as described herein. 
     In some instances, some of the sidewall components form part of an antenna assembly (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). As a result, a non-metal material, or materials, can separate the sidewall components of the band  102  from each other in order to electrically isolate the sidewall components. For example, a first separating material  112  separates the first sidewall component  104  from the second sidewall component  106 , and a second separating material  114  separates the second sidewall component  106  from the third sidewall component  108 . The aforementioned materials can include an electrically inert, or insulating, material(s), such as plastics and/or resin, as non-limiting examples. 
     The electronic device  100  can further include a display assembly  116  (shown as a dotted line) that is covered by a protective cover  118 . The display assembly  116  can include multiple layers (discussed below), with each layer providing a unique function. The display assembly  116  can be partially covered by a border  120 , or frame, that extends along an outer edge of the protective cover  118  and partially covers an outer edge of the display assembly  116 . The border  120  can be positioned to hide or obscure any electrical and mechanical connections between the layers of the display assembly  116  and flexible circuit connectors. Also, the border  120  can exhibit a uniform thickness. For example, the border  120  can include a thickness that generally does not change in the X- and Y-dimensions. 
     Also, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the display assembly  116  can include a notch  122 , representing an absence of the display assembly  116 . The notch  122  can allow for a vision system (discussed below) that provides the electronic device  100  with information for object recognition, such as facial recognition. In this regard, the electronic device  100  can include a masking layer with openings (shown as dotted lines) designed to hide or obscure the vision system, while the openings allow the vision system to provide the object recognition information. This will be further discussed below. Also, the protective cover  118  can be formed from a transparent material, such as glass, plastic, sapphire, or similar transparent materials. In this regard, the protective cover  118  can be referred to as a transparent cover, a transparent protective cover, or a cover glass (when the protective cover  118  includes glass). As shown in  FIG. 1 , the protective cover  118  includes an opening  124 , which can represent a single opening of the protective cover  118 . The opening  124  can allow for transmission of acoustical energy (in the form of audible sound) into the electronic device  100 , which can be received by a microphone (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the electronic device  100 . Further, the opening  124  can allow for transmission of acoustical energy (in the form of audible sound) out the electronic device  100 , which can be generated by an audio module (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the electronic device  100 . Also, the electronic device  100  may not include, according to some embodiments, a button, such as “home button,” commonly found in electronic devices. 
     The electronic device  100  can further include a port  126  designed to receive a connector of a cable assembly. The port  126  allows the electronic device  100  to communication data information (send and receive), and also allows the electronic device  100  to receive electrical energy to charge a battery assembly. Accordingly, the port  126  can include terminals that electrically couple to the connector. 
     Furthermore, the electronic device  100  can include several openings. For example, the electronic device  100  can include openings  128  that allow an additional audio module (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the electronic device to emit acoustical energy out of the electronic device  100 . The electronic device  100  can further include openings  132  that allow a microphone of the electronic device to receive acoustical energy. The electronic device  100  can also include a first fastener  134  and a second fastener  136  designed to be fastened to a rail that is coupled to the protective cover  118 . In this way, the first fastener  134  and the second fastener  136  can be designed to couple the protective cover  118  with the band  102 . 
     The electronic device  100  can include several control inputs designed to provide a command to the electronic device  100 . For example, the electronic device  100  can include a first control input  142  and a second control input  144 . The aforementioned control inputs can be used to adjust the visual information presented on the display assembly  116  or the volume of acoustical energy output by an audio module, as non-limiting examples. The controls can include one of a switch, a sensor, or a button designed to generate a command to a processor circuit. The control inputs can at least partially extend through openings in the sidewall components. For example, the second sidewall component  106  can include an opening  146  that receives the first control input  142 . Further details of an exemplary electronic device are provided below with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of an electronic device  200 . The electronic device  200  shown in  FIG. 2  is a smartphone, but is merely one representative example of a device that can include or be used with the systems and methods described herein. As described with respect to electronic device  100 , electronic device  200  can also correspond to any form of wearable electronic device, a portable media player, a media storage device, a portable digital assistant (“PDA”), a tablet computer, a computer, a mobile communication device, a GPS unit, a remote control device, and other electronic devices. In some examples, the electronic device  200  can include some or all of the features described herein, with respect to electronic device  100 . 
     The electronic device  200  can have a housing that includes a band  202  that at least partially defines an exterior portion, such as an outer perimeter of the electronic device. As with the band  102  described above in  FIG. 1 , the band  202  can include several sidewall components, such as a first sidewall component  204 , a second sidewall component  206 , a third sidewall component  208  (opposite the first sidewall component  204 ), and a fourth sidewall component  210 . The aforementioned sidewall components can be or can include a composite component, as described herein. The band  202  can also include a non-metal material or materials that separate and/or join the sidewall components of the band  202  with each other, as described herein. For example, separating material  214  can separate and/or join the second sidewall component  206  with the third sidewall component  208 . 
     The housing, including the band  202 , can include one or more features to receive or couple to other components of the device  200 , such as feature  222 . For example, the band  202  can include any number of features such as apertures, cavities, indentations, and other mating features configured to receive and/or attach to one or more components of the device  200 . The electronic device  200  can include internal components such as processors, memory, circuit boards, batteries, and sensors. Such components can be disposed within an internal volume defined, at least partially, by the band  202 , and can be affixed to the band  202 , via internal surfaces, attachment features such as feature  222 , threaded connectors, studs, posts, and/or other fixing features, that are formed into, defined by, or otherwise part of the band  202 . 
     The device  200  can include internal components, such as a system in package (SiP)  226 , including one or more integrated circuits such as a processors, sensors, and memory. The device  200  can also include a battery  224  housed in the internal volume of the device  200 . The device  200  can also include one or more sensors, such as optical or other sensors, that can sense or otherwise detect information regarding the environment exterior to the internal volume of the device  200 . Additional components, such as a haptic engine, can also be included in the device  200 . The electronic device  200  can also include a display assembly  216 , similar to display assembly  116  described herein. In some examples, the display assembly  216  can be received by and/or attached to the band  202  by one or more attachment features. 
     The electronic device  200  can further include a chassis  220  that can provide structural support. The chassis  220  can include a rigid material, such as a metal, or can include a composite construction, as described herein. The chassis  220  can also be coupled to the band  202 . In this manner, the chassis  220  can provide an electrical grounding path for components electrically coupled to the chassis. The electronic device can alternatively or additionally include a back plate  230  having cladding layers and/or other attachment features such that one or more components of the electronic device  200  can be attached to the back plate  230 , for example via welding. The back plate  230  can form conductive pathways for connecting components of the electronic device  200 . In some examples, the back plate  230  can be attached to the band  202  of the device  200  by one or more attachment features, such as feature  222 . 
     An exterior surface of the electronic device  200  can further be defined by a back cover  240  that can be coupled with the band  202 . In this regard, the back cover  240  can combine with the band  202  to form an enclosure or a housing of the electronic device  200 , with the enclosure or housing (including band  202  and back cover  240 ) at least partially defining an internal volume. The back cover  240  can include a transparent material, such as glass, plastic, sapphire, or another transparent material. 
     The housing, including the band  202  of one or more composite components can be conformable to interior dimensional requirements, as defined by the internal components. For example, the structure of the housing including a composite band  202  can be defined or limited exclusively or primarily by the internal components the housing is designed to accommodate. That is, because a housing including a composite band  202  can be extremely light and strong, the housing can be shaped to house the interior components in a dimensionally efficient manner without being constrained by factors other than the dimensions of the components, such as the need for additional structural elements. The composite components  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210  of the band can be formed by a variety of processes, as discussed herein. In some embodiments, these formation processes can allow for the housing and/or band  202  to have a detailed shape or design that is tailored specifically to satisfy one or more needs, such as internal dimensional requirements, without the need for additional features to reinforce the structure of the housing. Additionally, artifacts of the manufacturing process of the housing can be eliminated. Furthermore, other components of the electronic device  200 , such as individual internal structural components like the chassis  220  or exterior input components, can be formed from or can include a composite component, as described herein. 
     While any number or variety of components of an electronic device, for example electronic device  200 , can be formed from or can include a composite component, the structure of these composite components can be, for example, a composite component including an exterior portion joined to an interior portion as described herein. The structure and materials of the exterior and interior portion, as well as the composite component itself, can apply not only to the specific examples discussed herein, but to any number or variety of embodiments in any combination. Various embodiments of composite components are described below with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of a band  302  of a housing or enclosure of an electronic device, for example electronic device  100  or electronic device  200  described with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The band  302  can include one or more portions that are composite components or that include composite components, such as an exterior portion joined to an interior portion, as described herein. For example, the band  302  can include a first composite sidewall component  306 , a second composite sidewall component  308 , a third composite sidewall component  310  (opposite the first composite sidewall component  306 ), and a fourth composite sidewall component  312 . In some examples, and as described herein, the composite components  306 ,  308 ,  310 ,  312  can be separated and/or joined together by a material  314  that can include an electrically inert, or insulating, material(s), such as plastics and/or resin, as non-limiting examples. 
     Although the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3  includes a band  302  having multiple composite sidewall components  306 ,  308 ,  310 ,  312  that are joined together, in some examples a housing or enclosure for an electronic device can include or be formed form a single composite component having an interior and exterior portion as described herein. Further, in some examples the composite components can form portions of the housing or enclosure other than the sidewalls, such as a top portion, bottom portion, or any portion of the housing or enclosure. Further details of the composite sidewall components  306 ,  308 ,  310 ,  312  are provided below with reference to  FIGS. 4A-8 . 
       FIG. 4A  shows a perspective view of a composite component  400  including an outer or exterior portion  402  and an inner or interior portion  404 . Although illustrated in an exploded view, the composite component  400  can include an outer or exterior portion  402  that is joined or bonded to the inner or interior portion  404 . In some examples, the exterior portion  402  can be pre-formed and can include a metallic material, such as stainless steel, although other materials are expressly contemplated, as described herein. In some examples, the exterior portion can have a thickness greater than about 25 microns. The interior portion  404  can have a second, different set of material properties that are independent of the first set of material properties of the outer portion  402 . In some examples, the exterior portion  402  and the interior portion  404  can be welded, bonded, adhered, or otherwise joined together such that they form the housing, or a portion thereof, and act as a composite body  400 . That is, in some cases, the composite body  400  can be treated as a single piece of material with any process, such as the processes described herein, including manufacturing and assembly processes. The exterior portion  402  and the interior portion  404  can include any desired shape or design, and thus the component  400  can include any desired shape or design. In some examples, the component  400  can be a portion of a housing of an electronic device. In some other examples, however, the component  400  can be any component of an electronic device, such as a structural component, an internal component, an external component, and any other component. 
       FIG. 4B  shows a perspective view of a simplified composite component  400 , for example, as shown in  FIG. 4A , including features  412  and  414  formed in and at least partially defined by the interior portion  404 . The features  412 ,  414  can include protruding features, recessed features, or combinations thereof. In some examples, a feature, such as feature  412 , can be formed by an additive manufacturing process. In some examples, a feature, such as feature  414 , can be formed by a subtractive manufacturing process. In some examples, a feature can include an aperture, a recess, a blind hole, a cavity, a protrusion, or combinations thereof. A feature  412 ,  414  can be an attachment feature for one or more other components of an electronic device. The component  400  and concepts illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  can be applied to any of the composite components described herein, in any combination. Further, examples including the concepts and features discussed with respect to  FIGS. 4A and 4B  are described below with reference to  FIGS. 5-8 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a composite component  510  that can be similar to or include the features of the composite sidewall components  304 ,  306 ,  308 ,  310  described with respect to  FIG. 3  and component  400  described with respect to  FIGS. 4A-4B . The composite component  510  can include an outer or exterior portion  522  that is joined to an inner or interior portion  524 . In the present example, the exterior portion  522  can at least partially define an exterior surface of a housing or enclosure of an electronic device. The interior portion  524  can at least partially define a surface of an internal volume of the electronic device. As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , the composite component  510  can include a number of features  532 ,  534 ,  536 , that can, for example, act as attachment features for other components of an electronic device. 
     In some examples, the features can be formed in one or both of the exterior portion  522  and the interior portion  524  of the composite component  510 . For example, the interior portion  524  of the composite component  510  can include a feature, such as aperture  532 . In some examples, the feature  532  can be an aperture, a recess, a blind hole, or other feature formed in the interior portion  524  by a subtractive process, such as a machining or an etching process. In some examples, the feature  532  can act as an attachment feature for other components of the electronic device. The feature  532  can be configured to receive components of an electronic device, such as buttons or input components. Although depicted as an aperture  532 , the feature  532  can take any desired form or shape. In some examples, the feature  532  can extend, at least partially, into the interior portion  524  to a desired depth. Alternatively, however, the feature  532  can extend substantially entirely through an entire thickness of interior portion  524 . 
     In some examples, a feature can be formed in both the exterior portion  522  and the interior portion  524  of the composite component  510 . For example, feature  534  can be formed in, or be defined by, both the exterior and the interior portions  522 ,  524  of the component  510 . Feature  534  can be an aperture or a through hole that passes at least partially through the exterior portion  522  and the interior portion  524 . Further, although the portions  522 ,  524  are illustrated as having a relatively uniform thickness, in some examples, the thickness of the exterior portion  522  and/or interior portion  524  can vary at locations where features, such as feature  534 , are formed. A protruding feature, such as feature  536 , can be formed in the interior portion  524 , for example, by a machining process or an additive manufacturing process, and can serve as an attachment feature for other components of an electronic device. Although depicted as a protrusion defining an aperture therethrough, the feature  536  can include any desired shape or design. 
     As described herein, the interior portion  524  of the composite component  510  can be selected such that it has a set of material properties that are desirable for the formation of features, such as features  532 ,  534 ,  536 . For example, the material of the interior portion  524  can be selected to have a material property or set of material properties that allow for the interior portion  524  to be highly machinable without causing high levels of wear on machining tools. Additionally, the material of the interior portion  524  can be relatively inexpensive so that waste material produced by forming the features does not substantially increase production costs. Further, as described herein, the material of the exterior portion can be selected to have a material property or set of material properties, independent of the material properties of the interior portion, that allow the exterior portion  522  to have, for example, high levels of hardness and corrosion resistance. 
     In some examples, the features formed in one or both of exterior portion  522  and interior portion  524 , such as features  532 ,  534 ,  536 , can have a major dimension from about a micron up to about a millimeter, or several millimeters or more. In some cases, a feature, such as feature  536  can have a major dimension from about 100 microns to about 1 millimeter. Further, in some examples, a feature, such as feature  536 , can have minor dimensions from about 100 microns to about 1 millimeter. 
     Further, as can be seen in  FIG. 5 , the exterior portion  522  can have a substantially curved shape or profile that can correspond to an exterior profile of the electronic device. The exterior portion  522  can have any desired shape or profile. In some examples where the exterior portion has a substantially curved shape or profile, the interior portion  524  can be positioned entirely behind or within a curve defining the curved profile of the exterior portion  522 . Additional details of the exterior portion  522  are provided below with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 6  shows another perspective view of the composite component  510  of the housing of  FIG. 5 . As can be seen in  FIG. 6 , one or more areas, such as area  538 , of the exterior portion  522 , can be removed so that at least some of the interior portion  524  can be exposed. The exposed surface of the interior portion  522  can be subjected to a treatment or other processing in order to, for example, protect the exposed surface of the interior portion  522 . In some examples, the exterior portion  522  can include a stainless steel alloy and the interior portion  524  can include aluminum. At area  538 , where the aluminum of the interior portion  524  is externally exposed, an interface between the stainless steel of the exterior portion  522  and the aluminum of the interior portion  524  can also be exposed. 
     In such examples, the interface between the materials of the two portions can form a galvanic contact and one of the materials of the portions  522 ,  524  can be subjected or prone to galvanic corrosion. Accordingly, areas, such as area  538 , where an interface between the materials of the portions  522 ,  524  is exposed can be processed or treated to prevent or inhibit galvanic corrosion. A material or materials can be deposited over the interface between the portions  522 ,  524  at area  538  to prevent or inhibit galvanic corrosion. Example material can include, but are in no way limited to, a polymeric material, a metallic material, a ceramic material, or combinations thereof. 
     Alternatively, the geometry of the exterior portion  522  and/or interior portion  524  can be designed so that an interface between the portions is not exposed, even when features such as feature  538  are formed in the exterior portion  522 . For example, the exterior portion  522  can be thicker at the area  538  where a feature is formed so that the interior portion  524  is not exposed, even when material is removed from the exterior portion  524 . The interior portion  524  can correspondingly be made thinner at areas where the exterior portion  522  has an increased thickness, so that the composite component  510  maintains a relatively uniform thickness. Alternative views and features of the composite component  510  are detailed below, with reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a top view of the composite component  510  depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . As can be seen, the thicknesses of one or both of the exterior portion  522  and the interior portion  524  can have a thickness that varies along the length of the component  510 . Alternatively, however, the thickness of the exterior portion  522  and/or interior portion  524  can be substantially uniform along the length of the component  510 . The exterior portion  522  can have a thickness of greater than about 25 microns, greater than about 50 microns, greater than about 100 microns, 200 microns, 300 microns, 400 microns, 500 microns, or greater. In some examples, the exterior portion can have a thickness of up to about 1 millimeter, up to about 2 millimeters, or up to about 5 millimeters or more. In alternative examples, the interior portion  524  can have any desired thickness or thicknesses. For example, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the interior portion  524  can have a thickness that varies from about 100 microns up to about several millimeters or more. In some instances, the interior portion can have a thickness that approximates an entire width of the electronic device. 
       FIG. 8  shows a side view of the composite component  510  depicted in  FIGS. 5-7 . As described herein, the interior portion  524  can include any number of features that are formed in the material or the interior portion  524 , or added or attached to the interior portion  524  by any desired method or process. In some examples, the features, such as feature  534 , can serve as attachment features for components of an electronic device, such as an internal component or structural components. Further, in some examples, the interior portion  524  can form or define a surface that at least partially defines an internal volume of an electronic device. In some examples, the exterior portion  522  may not form part of a surface that defines an internal volume of an electronic device. In some instances, however, the exterior portion  522  can form at least part of a surface that defines an internal volume of an electronic device. 
     While any number or variety of components of an electronic device, for example electronic device  100  or  200 , can be formed from or can include a composite component, such as component  210 ,  310 ,  400 , and/or  510 , the structure of these composite components can be, for example, a composite component including an exterior portion joined to an interior portion, as described herein. The structure and materials of the exterior and interior portion, as well as the composite component itself, can apply not only to the specific examples discussed herein, but to any number or variety of embodiments in any combination. Various embodiments of composite components are described below, with reference to  FIGS. 9-13 . 
       FIG. 9A  shows a simplified perspective view of a composite component  600  including an exterior portion  602  bonded to an interior portion  604 , as described herein. In some examples, the exterior portion  602  can include a metal material, although other materials are expressly contemplated, as described herein. The interior portion can include a second material different than the material of the exterior portion and including a second set of material properties independent of the set of material properties of the exterior portion  602 . As can be seen in  FIG. 9A , the exterior portion  602  and the interior portion  604  can cooperate to at least partially define a surface  610  that can include a feature  612 . In some examples, the feature  612  can be a recess, an aperture, a cavity, or other similar feature. In some other examples, however, the feature  612  can include a protrusion or positive feature, or combinations thereof. Such a feature  612  can be, an attachment feature for joining the component  600  to one or more other components for an electronic device. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9B , in some examples, the surface  610  defined by both the exterior portion  602  and the interior portion  604  can be treated or subjected to processing to form one or more features thereon. In some examples, the surface  610  can include one or more engagement features formed thereon. The surface  610  can include multiple engagement features formed on the part of the surface defined by the exterior portion  602 , and multiple engagement features formed on the part of the surface defined by the interior portion  604 . The engagement features can range in size from nano- or micro-scaled features to macro-scale features having dimensions on the order or millimeters. In some examples, the engagement feature can have any desired shape to engage a moldable material. For example, an engagement feature can include a recess, a protrusion, or combinations thereof. 
     In some examples, the features can be formed by any number of additive or subtractive processes. In some examples, an engagement feature formation process can form the engagement feature on a part of the surface defined by the interior portion, but may not form an engagement feature on or otherwise substantially damage or degrade the part of the surface defined by the exterior portion  602 . In some examples, the treatment process can additionally form an engagement feature on a part of the surface defined by the exterior portion  602 , but may not form an engagement feature on or otherwise substantially damage or degrade the part of the surface defined by the interior portion  604 . 
     The component  600  and concepts illustrated in  FIGS. 9A and 9B  can be applied to any of the composite components described herein, in any combination. Further examples including the concepts and features discussed with respect to  FIGS. 9A and 9B  are described below with reference to  FIGS. 10-13 . 
       FIG. 10  shows a close-up perspective view of a composite component  710  that can form a housing or enclosure of an electronic device. As with the component  410  depicted in  FIG. 5-8 , the component  710  can include a pre-formed exterior portion  722  that is joined to an interior portion  724 . The exterior portion  722  can include a material or materials having a first set of material properties, while the interior portion  724  can include a material or materials having a second set of material properties independent of the first set of material properties. 
     As described herein, in some examples, the exterior portion  722  can be directly joined, bonded, or adhered to the interior portion  724 . That is, the exterior portion  722  can directly contact, abut, be fused or bonded, or otherwise joined to the interior portion  724 . In examples where the exterior portion  722  and the interior portion  724  both include metal materials, the bond between the exterior and interior portions  722 ,  724  can be a metallurgical bond. In other examples, the exterior portion  722  can directly contact the interior portion  724  along substantially the entire interface, or only at one or more locations. Further, even where the portions  722 ,  724  are in direct contact along substantially the entire interface, the portions  722 ,  724  can, in some examples, only be bonded or joined together at one or more locations. For example, the interior portion  724  can be welded to the exterior portion  722  at one or more locations. 
     In some examples, the interior portion  724  can be joined to the exterior portion  722  by processes such as brazing, diffusion bonding, electron beam welding, ultrasonic welding, laser welding, adhering, for example, with an adhesive, and similar joining methods. In some examples, the portions  722 ,  724  can be welded together by a pulsed laser welding process, such as a nanosecond pulsed laser welding process. Where a welding process is used, the welding process can be conducted along the interface or seam between the portions  722 ,  724 , or can be conducted through one or both of the portions  722 ,  724 , at any number of desired locations. 
     As can be further seen in  FIG. 10 , the composite component  710  can include one or more features, such as feature  732 , which are formed from or defined by both the exterior portion  722  and the interior portion  724 . In some examples feature  732  can be an attachment feature, for example, for one or more components of an electronic device. Feature  732  can serve alternative or additional purposes and can, for example, serve to reduce the weight of the composite component  710 . In some examples, a feature  732  can facilitate the joining of composite component  710  to another composite component, such as band  102  or  202 , to form a housing or an enclosure, as described herein. Feature  732  can mechanically engage a material, such as material  114 ,  214 ,  314  described herein, to form a band  102 ,  202 . 
       FIG. 11  shows an exemplary composite component  810  that can include a pre-formed exterior portion  822  joined to an interior portion  824 . The composite component  810  can include a surface  826  that is defined by both the exterior portion  822  and the interior portion  824 . Although the surface  826  is depicted as including an approximately equal area defined by each portion, in some examples, one of the interior or exterior portions  822 ,  824  can define substantially more of the surface  826  than the other portion. 
     The surface  826  can include one or more engagement features formed thereon. For example, the surface  826  can include multiple engagement features  832  formed on the part of the surface defined by the exterior portion  822 , and multiple engagement features  834  formed on the part of the surface defined by the interior portion  824 . As described herein, the engagement features  832 ,  834  can range in size from nano- or micro-scaled features to macro-scale features having dimensions on the order or millimeters. In some examples, the engagement feature  832 ,  834  can have any desired shape to engage a moldable material, as described herein. For example, an engagement feature can include a recess, a protrusion, or combinations thereof. 
     In some examples, the engagement features  832 ,  834  can allow the composite component  810  to be joined to a second component by mechanical engagement with a moldable material. For example, a moldable material can mechanically engage the engagement features  832 ,  834  to join the component  810  with a component, such as component  308 , illustrated and described with respect to  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a band  802  that includes component  810 , as described above. In some examples, the component  810  can include multiple surfaces defined by the exterior portion  822  and the interior portion  824 . For example, component  810  can include a second surface (not shown) opposite the surface  826  that is substantially similar and that also includes engagement features formed thereon. Further, one or more other components of the band  802 , such as components  804  and  808 , can similarly include engagement features formed on a surface defined by an exterior portion and an interior portion. As shown, a moldable material  814  is disposed between the composite component  810  and the components  804 ,  808  to which it is joined. The moldable material  814  can include a polymer material, such as epoxy or resin, and can be an electrically insulating material. The moldable material  814  is mechanically engaged with the engagement features  832 ,  834  of the composite component  810  and can similarly be mechanically engaged with engagement features of component  804 . In this way, the moldable material  814  can serve to join the composite component  810  to additional components  804 ,  808  and thereby form the band  802 . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates an exemplary process for forming a composite component for an electronic device having engagement features on a surface, as described herein. The process  900  for forming the composite component can include joining a pre-formed portion, such as an exterior portion including a first material having a first material property or set of material properties, with a second portion, such as an interior portion including a second material having a second material property or set of material properties, at block  910 . The process  900  can further include forming one or more features in at least the second portion at block  920 , and treating a surface defined by the pre-formed first portion and the second portion to form an engagement feature thereon at block  930 . 
     At block  910 , a pre-formed first portion, such as an exterior portion of a composite component can be joined with a second portion, such as an interior portion, as described herein. The pre-formed first portion can include a first material, while the second portion can include a second, independently selected material. In some examples, the materials of the first and second portions can include any of the materials described herein with respect to interior and/or exterior portions of a composite component. In some examples, the pre-formed first portion can be subject to treatment or processing prior to joining, for example to form a desired profile or shape, or to form one or more features therein. 
     In some examples, the pre-formed first portion can be positioned or held in a desired position, for example by a clamping device or other apparatus, and the second portion can be brought in contact with the pre-formed first portion, whereupon the portions are joined together to form a composite body. The particular process used to join the portions can include any of the processes discussed herein, and can be selected depending on the materials of the pre-formed first portion and the second portion. For example, joining can include directly joining the pre-formed first portion with the second portion by processes such as welding, for example ultrasonic welding or laser welding, brazing, diffusion bonding, fusing, adhering, or other similar methods. Joining can include pulsed laser welding, for example nanosecond pulsed laser welding. In some examples, joining can include mechanically engaging a feature of the pre-formed first portion with a corresponding feature of the second portion, as described herein. 
     In some examples, joining can alternatively or additionally include providing a layer or material between the pre-formed first portion and the second portion to join the portions together. Thus, in some examples, joining can include providing a material such as an adhesive, glue, heat activated film, polymer material such as epoxy or resin, or other moldable material between the pre-formed first portion and the second portion. This intermediate layer can be provided as a moldable material between the portions in at least some locations and subsequently cured or cooled to join the portions. In some examples, the intermediate material can form a direct bond with the surface of one or both portions, such as a chemical or metallurgical bond. In some examples, the intermediate material can join the portions by alternatively or additionally mechanically engaging with one or more features on a surface of the portions. 
     In some examples, the second portion can be joined with the pre-formed first portion by providing the second portion to the pre-formed first portion in a moldable form and curing, cooling, or otherwise hardening the material of the second portion. For example, the second portion can be cast, die cast, molded, injection molded, metal injection molded, or otherwise formed into a feature or features of the pre-formed first portion. In some examples, the pre-formed first portion can be present in a mold or other apparatus and the second portion can be provided into the mold to solidify and join with the pre-formed first portion. 
     In some examples, providing the second portion in moldable form can join the pre-formed first portion and the second portion by forming a bond directly between the materials of the first and second portions, such as a chemical or metallurgical bond. In some examples, the portions can alternatively or additionally be joined, producing a mechanical engagement between the material of the second portion with one or more features formed in or on a surface of the first portion, such as nano-, micro-, and/or macro-scaled features. Thus, in some examples, material of the second portion can flow or otherwise be provided into one or more features of the pre-formed first portion and can be solidified to mechanically engage and join the portions. 
     Further, in some examples, the first portion, while described as a pre-formed first portion, can be formed substantially simultaneously with the second portion. For example, the first and second portions can be co-extruded or provided in moldable form so that the portions are joined by a chemical bond, a metallurgical bond, mechanical engagement, and other joining methods. 
     At block  920 , one or more features are formed in at least the second portion of the composite component. The feature or features can be formed according to any of the processes or methods described herein, such as additive or subtractive manufacturing processes. For example, one or more features can be formed in at least the second portion by machining, etching, depositing, molding, or other processes. In some examples, the one or more features can be formed in both the pre-formed first portion and the second portion, as described herein. 
     In some examples, forming one or more features in at least the second component at block  920  can occur substantially simultaneously with the joining step at block  910 . For example, where the second portion can be cast or molded into the pre-formed first portion, the one or more features can be formed in the second portion during the molding or casting process when the second portion is solidified, or otherwise formed and joined with the first portion. 
     At block  930 , a surface defined by the pre-formed first portion and the second portion can be treated to form an engagement feature on or in the surface, as described herein. In some examples, an engagement feature can range in size from nano- or micro-scaled features to macro-scale features having dimensions on the order or millimeters. Further, in some examples, the treatment at block  930  can form more than one engagement feature on the surface. The treatment process can include any number of additive or subtractive processes. In some examples, an engagement feature formation process can form the engagement feature on a part of the surface defined by the interior portion, but may not form an engagement feature on or otherwise substantially damage or degrade the part of the surface defined by the exterior portion. In some examples, the treatment process can additionally form an engagement feature on a part of the surface defined by the exterior portion, but may not form an engagement feature on or otherwise substantially damage or degrade the part of the surface defined by the interior portion. That is, in some examples, the treatment at block  930  can form an engagement feature on only a part of the surface defined by one of the interior or exterior portion during one stage, and can form an engagement feature on a part of the surface defined by the other of the interior or exterior portion during a second stage. 
     In some examples, a stage of the treatment at block  930  can affect or substantially affect only the material of one of the interior or exterior portions. In other examples, however, the part of the surface defined by one of the interior or exterior portions can be masked or otherwise treated so that a stage of the treatment only affects or forms features on the unmasked, or untreated portion. In alternative examples, however, the treatment can form an engagement feature or features on a part of the surface defined by both the interior portion and the exterior portion. The treatment at block  930  can include a subtractive treatment process or processes, such as machining, etching, laser-based processes, cutting, grinding, and similar subtractive processes. In some examples, the treatment at block  930  can include an additive process, such as a deposition process, a thermal spraying process, a 3D printing process, and other similar additive processes. In some examples, the treatment at block  930  can include multiple processes to form the engagement feature or features. 
     In some examples, the process  900  can further include providing a moldable material, for example moldable material  814  described herein, to the surface including the engagement feature. The moldable material can be provided in moldable or flowable form. The process  900  can further include hardening, curing, cooling, or otherwise solidifying the moldable material to mechanically engage the moldable material with the formed engagement feature. The moldable material can also be mechanically engaged with one or more other components, and can serve to join the components together, for example, as described herein. 
     While any number or variety of components of an electronic device, such as electronic device  100  or  200 , can be formed from or can include a component, such as component  210 ,  310 ,  400 ,  510 ,  600 ,  710 , and/or  810 , the structure of these components can be, for example, a composite component including an exterior portion joined to an interior portion, as described herein. The structure and materials of the exterior and interior portion, as well as the composite component itself, can apply not only to the specific examples discussed herein, but to any number or variety of embodiments in any combination. Various embodiments of components and methods of forming the same are described below with reference to  FIGS. 14-19 . 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a flow diagram including various stages of a method for forming an element or component  1002  of an electronic device. The process for forming the element or component  1002  can include joining a boss  1004  to a member  1002 , for example, by any desired temporary or permanent methods. In some examples, the boss  1004  can be bonded to the component  1002  by welding or an adhesive. Once bonded to the member  1002 , the boss  1004  can be engaged by a positioning apparatus to support, orient, and position the member  1002 , for example, during one or more manufacturing processes. In some examples, the positioning apparatus or other device can position the component  1002  in any number of desired positioned, via the boss  1004 , while one or more features  1012 ,  1014 , and  1016  are formed therein. As described herein, features can be formed by any combination of additive or subtractive manufacturing processes. In some examples, the features  1012 ,  1014 , and  1016  can include an aperture, a recess, a blind hole, a cavity, a protrusion, or combinations thereof. The boss  1004  can then be optionally removed from the component  1002 , however, in some examples, the boss  1004  can at least partially remain on the component  1002  and only some material may be removed from the boss  1004 . In those examples, the boss  1004  can be formed into a feature of the component  1002 , as described herein. 
     The component  1002  and concepts illustrated in  FIG. 14  can be applied to any of the composite components described herein, in any combination. Further examples including the concepts and features discussed with respect to  FIG. 14  are described below, with reference to  FIGS. 15-19 . 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a process flow diagram of an exemplary process for forming an element or component for an electronic device. The process  1100  for forming the element or component, such as a frame element or component, can include joining a boss to a member at block  1110 , forming a feature in the member while orienting the member via the boss at block  1120 , and at least partially removing the boss from the member to form the element or component at block  1130 . 
     At block  1110 , a boss can be joined to a member, such as a frame member. In some examples, multiple bosses can be joined to the member. The member can assume any desired form and, in some examples, can be a composite member including a pre-formed first portion formed of a first material joined to a second portion formed of a second material, as described herein. In some examples, the boss can be joined to the member either temporarily or permanently, as desired, and as described herein. Any process can be used to join a boss to the member at block  1110 . In some examples, the boss can be joined directly to the member, such that a surface of the boss directly contacts, abuts, is fused to, is bonded to, or otherwise is directly joined to the member. Alternatively, the boss can be joined to the member by welding, for example ultrasonic welding or laser welding, brazing, diffusion bonding, fusing, adhering, or other similar methods. In some instances, the boss can form a metallurgical bond with the member along at least a portion of the interface between the boss and the member. 
     The boss can, according to one example, be joined to the member with the use of an adhesive or other material. For example, the boss and member can be joined by a glue or an adhesive, such as a resin or epoxy, by a heat activated film, by an injection molded plastic, and similar joining methods. In some examples, the boss and member can alternatively or additionally be joined together via mechanical engagement between the boss and member. For example, features of the boss can mechanically engage features of the member to mechanically join the boss and the member together. In some examples, these engagement features can range in size from nano- or micro-scaled features to macro-scale features having dimensions on the order or millimeters. The boss can include any desired shape or size, as described herein. 
     At block  1120 , a feature or features are formed in the member while orienting the member via the boss. In some examples, a positioning apparatus can mechanically or otherwise engage the boss to support, orient, and position the member at block  1120 . The positioning apparatus can position the member in any number of desired orientations via the boss or bosses. In some examples, the positioning apparatus can hold the member in one position or orientation while a feature is formed at block  1120 . In other examples, however, a positioning apparatus can move the member between any number of different positions and orientations while the feature is formed at block  1120 . The feature can include any desired shape or size, and can be any of the features described herein, such as those illustrated in  FIGS. 5-8 . In some examples, the feature can be formed by an additive manufacturing process, a subtractive manufacturing process, or combinations thereof. For example, the feature can be formed in the member by a subtractive process such as machining, etching, laser-based processes, cutting, grinding, and similar subtractive processes. Alternatively, the feature can be formed in or on the member by an additive process, such as a deposition process, a 3D printing process, and other similar additive processes. In some examples, multiple processes can be used to form the feature. Furthermore, multiple features can be formed in or on the member at block  1120 . 
     At block  1130 , the boss can be at least partially removed from the member to form the component or element, such as a frame component or element, as described herein. In some examples, substantially the entire boss can be removed from the member. In other embodiments, however, the boss can be formed into a feature itself and only the boss material required to form such a feature can be removed from the member. In some examples, the boss can be removed by any desired process, as described herein. For example, a boss or a portion of a boss can be removed from the member by processes such as machining, etching, laser-based processes, cutting, grinding, and other material removal processes. 
     In some examples, the formed element or component can be subjected to additional processing or treatment before, during, or after any of blocks  1110 ,  1120 , or  1130 . For example, an exterior surface of the element or component can be treated, for example, by depositing a PVD layer thereon, to provide a desired color or surface finish. The methods of  FIG. 15  for forming an element or component for an electronic device are detailed below with reference to  FIGS. 16-19   
       FIG. 16  illustrates a member  1200  that can be, for example, a frame member. As described herein, the member  1200  can be a composite body including one or more materials that can be subjected to processing or treatment prior to joining the one or more bosses. In some examples, the member can be a unitary piece of material, such as a polymer material, ceramic material, metal material, or combinations thereof. In some examples, however, the member can be a composite member including a pre-formed exterior portion joined to an interior portion, as described herein. Further, as can be seen, the member  1200  can include a substantially rounded or curved surface along at least one side. 
       FIG. 17  shows the member  1200  including multiple bosses  1202 ,  1204 ,  1206  that have been joined to the member  1200 , as described with respect to block  1110  of process  1100 . As can be seen, the bosses  1202 ,  1204 ,  1206  can have a substantially rectangular prismatic shape with chamfers along one or more edges. In some examples, the bosses  1202 ,  1204 ,  1206  can be joined to a single surface of the member. In other examples, however, bosses  1202 ,  1204 ,  1206  can be joined to two or more different surfaces of the member  1200 , as desired. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates the location of multiple features that can be formed in the member during a feature formation process, for example, as described above with respect to block  820  of process  800 . As can be seen, the final formed element or component  1210  can be produced by removing material from the member  1200 . For example, at least features  1222 ,  1224 , and  1226 , which can be similar to the features described herein with respect to  FIGS. 5-8 , can be formed in the member  1200 .  FIG. 19  shows the formed element or component  1210  after the bosses  1202 ,  1204 ,  1206  have at least partially been removed. In the present example, the bosses  1202  and  1206  have been substantially entirely removed from the member  1200 . As can be seen, however, the boss  1204  has only been partially removed from the member  1200 , with some material from the boss  1204  now forming feature  1228  of the element  1210 . In this way, protruding features, such as feature  1228 , can be formed on the member  1200  without the need to increase the dimensions of the member  1200  along its entire length, height or width. 
     While any number or variety of components of an electronic device, for example electronic device  100  or  200 , can be formed from or can include a component, such as component  210 ,  310 ,  400 ,  510 ,  600 ,  710 ,  810 ,  1000 , and/or  1110 , the structure of these components can be, for example, a composite component including an exterior portion joined to an interior portion, as described herein. The structure and materials of the exterior and interior portion, as well as the composite component itself, can apply not only to the specific examples discussed herein, but to any number or variety of embodiments in any combination. Various embodiments of components, electronic devices, and methods of forming the same are described below with reference to  FIGS. 20-24 . 
       FIG. 20  illustrates a diagrammatic flow diagram including various stages of a method of forming an electronic device  1300 . The process for forming the device  1300  can include at least partially surrounding a periphery of a display component  1304  with a moldable encapsulating material  1306 , positioning a transparent cover  1302  adjacent to a major surface of the display component  1304 , and joining the display component  1304  and transparent cover  1302  to the frame  1310  of the device  1300  by the moldable encapsulating material  1306 . 
     In some examples, an encapsulating material  1306  can be provided to a display component  1304  in a moldable form to at least partially surround the display component  1304 . In some examples, the encapsulating material  1306  can at least partially surround, one, two, three, or all of the sides of the display or display component  1304 . The encapsulating material  1306  can be any desirable form of moldable material. For example, the encapsulating material  1306  can include a polymer material, such as an epoxy or resin. In other examples, the encapsulating material  1306  can be a composite material, such as a ceramic or glass reinforced polymer material. Alternatively, the moldable material  1306  can be a curable material, or can be heated to a moldable form, and then cooled to solidify. 
     The encapsulating material can serve to join or bond the display component to the frame, and thereby retain the display within the housing of the device. In some examples, the display component  1304  and encapsulating material  1306  can be bonded to one or more surfaces of the device  1300 , such as support surface  1312 . Further, in some examples, the encapsulating material  1306  can be disposed entirely within an internal volume of the device  1300 . In some examples, the encapsulating material  1306  can be bonded or joined to the frame  1310  by an adhesive that can securely bond the encapsulating material and display component to the frame. In some examples, however, the moldable encapsulating material  1306  itself can directly bond to the frame  1310 . 
     The device  1300  and concepts illustrated in  FIG. 20  can be applied to any of the components and device described herein, in any combination. Further examples including the concepts and features discussed with respect to  FIG. 20  are described below with reference to  FIGS. 21-24 . 
       FIG. 21  shows an exploded view of an electronic device  1400  including various components. The electronic device  1400  can be substantially similar to electronic devices  100  and  200  described herein, with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The device  1400  can include a housing that has a band or a frame  1402 , which can again be substantially similar to other bands described herein, for example with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In some examples, the band can include multiple components  1404 ,  1406 ,  1408 , and  1410 , such as composite components, that are joined by a moldable material  1414  to form the band  1402 . The device can include a display  1420  that includes display components  1424 ,  1426 , for example a backlight, filter, polarizer, LED array, liquid crystal array, electrodes, and other similar display components. The display  1420  can further include a transparent cover  1422  that can be formed of any desired transparent material, such as polymer, glass, or ceramic material such as sapphire. In some examples, the display can be an LCD display, an LED display, an OLED display, a plasma display, a quantum dot display, or any other type of display known in the art or developed in the future. The device  1400  can further include additional components, such as a chassis, a battery, processors, a back cover, and other components that are not shown. 
       FIG. 22  shows an exploded cross-sectional view of an electronic device  1500  that can be substantially similar to electronic devices  100 ,  200 , and  1000  described herein. The device  1500  includes a display component  1534  and a transparent cover  1532  overlying the display component and defining an exterior surface of the device  1500 . The device  1500  can also include a housing that has a band  1502  that can be substantially similar to bands  102 ,  202 , and  1002  described herein. In some examples, the band  1502  can include multiple composite components that can be joined together with a moldable material to form the band. In such examples, and as illustrated, the band  1502  can include one or more exterior portions  1522  including a first material and one or more interior portions  1524  including a second, independently selected material, as described herein. The band  1502  can at least partially define an exterior surface of the device  1500  and an internal volume of the device  1500 . In some examples, the band  1502  can include a cavity or a space  1540  sized to receive the display component  1534  and including a feature  1542  that is configured to receive the display and/or display component  1534 . In some examples, the feature  1542  can be a recess, lip, protrusion, or other feature configured to receive and mechanically or structurally support the display component  1534 . 
       FIG. 23  illustrates an assembled device  1500 , including an encapsulating material  1552  at least partially surrounding the periphery of the display component  1534 , and joined or bonded directly to the band  1502 . As described herein, the encapsulating material  1552  can be any desired moldable material and, in some examples, can be a polymer material such as epoxy or resin. As can be seen, in some examples, the encapsulating material  1552  can additionally surround a major surface of the display component  1534 , for example the lower major surface. The encapsulating material  1552  can serve to join or bond the display component  1534  to the band  1502 , and thereby retain the display within the housing of the device  1500 . Further, in some examples, the encapsulating material  1552  can be disposed entirely within the internal volume of the device  1500 . For example, where the band  1502  can include a curved surface that at least partially defines an exterior surface of the device  1500 , the encapsulating material  1552  can be positioned interior to the curved surface. In some examples, and as illustrated, the encapsulating material  1552  can be bonded or joined to the band by an adhesive  1554  that can securely bond the encapsulating material  1552  and display component  1534  to the band  1502 . In some examples, however, the material  1554  can be the encapsulating material  1552  itself. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 23 , in some examples, an edge of the display component  1534  and the transparent cover  1532  can be substantially aligned with one another. Such a configuration can allow for the active area of the display, for example an area including pixels, to be positioned substantially closer to the edge of the transparent cover  1532  relative to configurations that utilize traditional display mounting components. Further, in some examples, the transparent cover  1532  can be disposed substantially adjacent to the band  1502 . Such a configuration can create a more seamless visual transition between the band  1502  and the transparent cover  1532 . Further, the active area of the display can be positioned closer to the band  1502  than might otherwise be achieved with traditional display mounting components. 
       FIG. 24  shows a process flow diagram of an exemplary process for forming an electronic device, as described herein. The process  1600  for forming the device can include at least partially surrounding a periphery of a display component with a moldable encapsulating material at block  1610 , positioning a transparent cover adjacent to a major surface of the display component at block  1620 , and joining the display component and transparent cover to the frame of the device by the moldable encapsulating material at block  1630 . 
     At block  1610 , an encapsulating material can be provided to a display component in a moldable form to at least partially surround the display component. For example, where a display or a display component can be substantially rectangular, the encapsulating material can at least partially surround, one, two, three, or all of the sides of the display or display component. In some examples, the encapsulating material can surround substantially the entire periphery of a display or display component. In some examples, the encapsulating material can at least partially surround a major surface of the display or display component. For example, the encapsulating material can at least partially surround the bottom major surface of a display component. The encapsulating material can be any desirable form of moldable material. For example, the encapsulating material can include a polymer material, such as an epoxy or resin. In other examples, the encapsulating material can be a composite material, for example a ceramic or glass reinforced polymer material. Alternatively, the moldable material can be a curable material, or can be heated to a moldable form, and then cooled to solidify. 
     At block  1620 , a transparent cover can be positioned adjacent to a major surface of the display component. In some examples, the transparent cover can be positioned relative to the display component while the encapsulating material is still in moldable form. In other examples, however, the transparent cover can be positioned adjacent to the display component after the encapsulating material has hardened or solidified. Alternatively, the transparent cover can be positioned adjacent to the display component prior to surrounding the display component with the encapsulating material. 
     At block  1630 , the display component can be joined or bonded to the frame of the electronic device via the moldable encapsulating material. The encapsulating material can serve to join or bond the display component to the frame, and thereby retain the display within the housing of the device. Further, in some examples, the encapsulating material can be disposed entirely within an internal volume of the device. In some examples, the encapsulating material can be bonded or joined to the frame by an adhesive that can securely bond the encapsulating material and display component to the frame. In some examples, however, the moldable encapsulating material itself can directly bond to the frame. 
     Any of the features or aspects of the components, devices, and methods discussed herein can be combined or included in any varied combination. For example, any methods of forming an element or component of a frame for an electronic device can be used in combination with any of the methods of forming engagement features on a component and forming an electronic device as described herein. The steps, stages, or blocks of any of the methods described herein can be performed in any desired order and can be performed simultaneously if desired. Further, a housing of a device can include a composite component as described herein that can include an engagement feature formed therein. Any method can be used to form such an engagement feature. Although certain methods and components are described with respect to housings, enclosures, or frames for electronic devices, the methods and components described herein can also be or form any number of additional components of an electronic device, including internal components, external components, cases, surfaces, or partial surfaces. As used herein, the terms exterior, outer, interior, and inner are used for reference purposes only. An exterior or outer portion of a composite component can form a portion of an exterior surface of the component, but may not necessarily form the entire exterior of outer surface thereof. Similarly, the interior or inner portion of a composite component can form or define an interior or inner portion of the component, but can also form or define a portion of an exterior or outer surface of the component. 
     Various inventions have been described herein with reference to certain specific embodiments and examples. However, they will be recognized by those skilled in the art that many variations are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventions disclosed herein, in that those inventions set forth in the claims below are intended to cover all variations and modifications of the inventions disclosed without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The terms “including” and “having” come as used in the specification and claims shall have the same meaning as the term “comprising.” 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not target to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20200520
Publication Date: 20210413
Grant Date: 20210413
Priority Date: 20181221
Inventors: HOOTON, LEE E.
WITTENBERG, MICHAEL B.
MESCHKE, ANDREW J.
WILLIAMS, ALEXANDER W.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F1/1637", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0249", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0217", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0018", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B23P13/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/04", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/03", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1637", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B23P15/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B23P13/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1633", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/02", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/04", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B23P15/00", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/03", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0017", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1637", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0017", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/02", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/04", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1637", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/03", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 71097022