PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9474156-B2
Application Number: US-201213492895-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Interposer connectors with alignment features

Abstract:
Non-rectangular or rectangular interposers for space efficient, reliable to manufacture, high speed interconnections between two printed circuit boards, such as a motherboard and a mating board. One example provides space efficiency with a non-rectangular interposer, where the interposer may be at least approximately circular. Reliable manufacturing may be provided by the inclusion of one or more openings to accept one or more alignment features. In one example, a first opening is provided to accept a threaded boss, which may be used to fasten the two printed circuit boards and interposer together. In another example, a second opening may be provided to accept an alignment post, wherein the post aligns the interposer to the two printed circuit boards. Contacts may be provided on each side to mate with contacts on each of the two printed circuit boards.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of assembling a mating board, interposer, and main-logic board, the method comprising:
 providing a main-logic board having a plurality of contacts placed around a first opening, an alignment post, and an alignment pin; 
 providing an interposer having a first opening, a second opening to accept the alignment post, a first notch to accept the alignment pin, a first plurality of contacts on a first side, and a second plurality of contacts on a second side; 
 fitting the interposer to the main logic board such that the first opening aligns with the first opening on the main-logic board, the second opening accepts the alignment post, the first notch in an outside edge of the interposer accepts the alignment pin, and the first plurality of contacts mates with the contacts on the main logic board; 
 providing a mating board having a first opening, a second opening to accept the alignment post, and a plurality of contacts on a first side; 
 fitting the mating board to the interposer such that the first opening aligns with the first opening on the interposer, the second opening accepts the alignment post, and the plurality of contacts mates with the second plurality of contacts on the interposer; and 
 fastening the mating board, interposer, and main logic board together. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the interposer is rectangular. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the interposer is square. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein fastening the mating board, interposer, and main logic board together comprises inserting a screw through the first opening in the mating board, the first opening in the interposer, and the first opening in the main-logic board. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4  further comprising inserting a screw through a backer plate, the backer plate located on a top side of the mating board. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5  further comprising screwing the screw into a second backing plate located below the main-logic board. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 5  further comprising aligning a notch in the backer plate to the alignment post. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  wherein the interposer is circular. 
     
     
       9. An electronic device comprising:
 a main logic board having a plurality of contacts on a first side, a first alignment feature, a second alignment feature, and an opening for a fastener; 
 an interposer having a first opening for the fastener, a second opening aligned with the first alignment feature, a first notch in an outside edge of the interposer aligned with the second alignment feature, a first plurality of contacts on a first side aligned with the plurality of contacts on the first side of the main logic board, and a second plurality of contacts on a second side; 
 a mating board having a first opening for the fastener, a second opening aligned with the first alignment feature, a plurality of contacts on a first side aligned with the second plurality of contacts on the second side of the interposer; and 
 the fastener holding the mating board, interposer, and main logic board together. 
 
     
     
       10. The electronic device of  claim 9  wherein the interposer is rectangular. 
     
     
       11. The electronic device of  claim 9  wherein the interposer is square. 
     
     
       12. The electronic device of  claim 9  wherein the fastener comprises a screw. 
     
     
       13. The electronic device of  claim 9  wherein the first alignment feature comprises an alignment post. 
     
     
       14. The electronic device of  claim 13  wherein the second alignment feature comprises an alignment pin. 
     
     
       15. The electronic device of  claim 9  wherein the mating board further comprises a plurality of electronic components. 
     
     
       16. The electronic device of  claim 9  wherein the mating board is further attached to a plurality of conductive lines. 
     
     
       17. The electronic device of  claim 9  wherein the interposer is circular. 
     
     
       18. An electronic device comprising:
 a main logic board having a plurality of contacts on a first side, a first alignment feature, and an opening for a fastener; 
 an interposer having a first opening for the fastener, a second opening aligned with the first alignment feature, a first plurality of contacts on a first side aligned with the plurality of contacts on the first side of the main logic board, and a second plurality of contacts on a second side; 
 a mating board having a first opening for the fastener, a second opening aligned with the first alignment feature, a plurality of contacts on a first side aligned with the second plurality of contacts on the second side of the interposer; and 
 the fastener holding the mating board, interposer, and main logic board together. 
 
     
     
       19. The electronic device of  claim 18  wherein the interposer is rectangular. 
     
     
       20. The electronic device of  claim 18  wherein the interposer is square. 
     
     
       21. The electronic device of  claim 18  wherein the interposer is circular.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/370,276, filed Feb. 9, 2012, and claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/441,645, filed Feb. 10, 2011, which is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The number and types of electronic devices available to consumers have increased tremendously the past few years, and this increase shows no signs of abating. Devices such as portable computing devices, tablet, desktop, and all-in-one computers, cell, smart, and media phones, storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors and other electronic devices have become ubiquitous. 
     These electronic devices have been packing an ever increasing amount of functionality into ever decreasing sized packages. This has led to the use of increasingly complex logic boards, as well as increases in the numbers of logic boards in these devices. One way to pack in more circuit boards has been to stack them inside these devices. But these stacks often require complex interconnections. The result of this is that these stacks of printed circuit boards are often thicker than desirable. 
     Moreover, the amount of data being transferred between these circuit boards has been increasing, thereby necessitating increases in data rates of signals conveyed by lines connecting the boards. Solving these problems has been further complicated by the goal of wanting to have an interconnection scheme that is simple and reliable to manufacture. 
     Also, to increase the functionality and reduce device size it may be helpful to make such interconnections space efficient. 
     Thus, what is needed are circuits, methods, and apparatus that provide a reliable, space efficient, high-speed interconnections between stacked printed circuit boards. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention provide reliable, space efficient, high-speed interconnections between stacked printed circuit boards or other electrical components. 
     An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a space efficient interconnection by providing a non-rectangular interposer that resides between two printed circuit boards, such as a motherboard or main logic board, and a mating board. This non-rectangular interposer may be circular, elliptical, oblong, or it may have other shapes. In other embodiments of the present invention, the interposer may be square or rectangular. Contacts may be located on each side of the interposer to mate with corresponding contacts on a motherboard and a mating board. 
     Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a reliable interconnection by providing one or more alignment features between an interposer and two printed circuit boards, such as a motherboard and a mating board. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, one of the alignment features is a threaded boss. This threaded boss may be attached to a motherboard. The interposer and the mating board may have openings arranged to accept the threaded boss. A screw may be inserted into the threaded boss to attach the motherboard, interposer, and mating board together. A washer may be used to improve mechanical stability. 
     In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a collet, set screw, and bolt may be used to fasten a main logic board to a non-rectangular interposer and mating board. Specifically, a passage may be formed together or separately through a main logic board, interpose, and mating board. The passage may extend through the main logic board as a through hole, or partially through the main logic board as a blind hole. A collet may be inserted into the passage. A set screw may be screwed into the collet until it reaches the main logic board. A bolt may then be inserted into the collet. The bolt may have a head to provide a force keeping the interposer in contact with the main logic board and the mating board. A spring may be placed between the collet and a portion of the mating board for mechanical stability. In other embodiments of the present invention, other types of fasteners, such as conical pins, may be used as an alignment feature and to fasten motherboard, interposer, and mating board together. 
     In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a screw may be used to fasten a main logic board to a non-rectangular interposer and mating board. Specifically, a screw may pass through a backer plate or washer, mating board, interposer, main-logic board, and thread into a second backer plate. The top backer plate may have a raised portion to surround a head of the screw to provide a low profile for the fastener. 
     In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an alignment post may be used to provide a second alignment feature. This alignment post may be attached to a motherboard. The interposer and mating board may have openings arranged to accept the alignment post. A top backer plate may have a notch where the alignment post may fit. With two alignment features thus provided, contacts between a motherboard and interposer, and between an interposer and a mating board, may be reliably made. 
     In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an alignment pin may be used to provide a third alignment feature. This third alignment feature may help prevent “clocking” or turning of the interposer as a screw passing through the interposer is tightened. The alignment pin may be attached to a motherboard or main-logic board. The alignment pin may be approximately the height of the interposer, and may fit in a notch in the interposer. 
     In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, high-speed interconnections through the interposer may be made by forming short, direct connections between contacts on a first side and contacts on a second side. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, contacts on an interposer are formed of one or more spring like contacts, while contacts on a motherboard and mating board may be surface contacts. In other embodiments of the present invention, contacts on either or both the motherboard and mating board may be spring-like contacts, while contacts on one or both sides of the interpose may be surface contacts. 
     Various embodiments of the present invention may incorporate one or more of these and the other features described herein. A better understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be gained by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a top view of an interposer according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a cross section of a portion of a contact that may be incorporated on an interposer according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of a portion of a motherboard according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of a portion of a mating board according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a cross section of a mating board, interposer, and motherboard aligned and fastened together according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates another cross section of a mating board, interposer, and motherboard aligned and fastened together according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates another cross section of a mating board, interposer, and motherboard aligned and fastened together according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a flow chart of a method of assembling a mating board, interposer, and motherboard according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates another cross section of a mating board, interposer, and motherboard aligned and fastened together according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is another flow chart of a method of assembling a mating board, interposer, and motherboard according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a portion of an electronic system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a screw fastening together a main-logic board, interposer, and mating board according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a side view of a portion of an electronic system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a top view of interposer  110  according to an embodiment of the present invention. This figure, as with the other included figures, is shown for illustrative purposes and does not limit either the possible embodiments of the present invention or the claims. 
     Interposer  110  may be used to form interconnections between two electronic components, such as two printed circuit boards, one printed circuit board and a plurality of wires, one printed circuit board and one flexible circuit board, or other components. Interposer  110  may have a non-square or non-rectangular shape to provide a space efficient interconnection between printed circuit boards or other components. In the example shown, interposer  110  may be at least approximately circular, though in other embodiments of the present invention, interposer  110  may have other shapes. For example, interposer  110  may have an elliptical or oblong shape. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, interposer  110  is at least approximately circular in shape and has a diameter of 13.2 mm, though in other embodiments of the present invention, interposer  110  may have different sizes. 
     In this example, interposer  110  includes openings  120  and  140 . Openings  120  and  140  may accept alignment features, which may be attached to or otherwise in relationship to a printed circuit board, mating board, or other electronic component. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, opening  120  is arranged to accept a threaded boss or collet that is fixed to a motherboard. In another specific embodiment of the present invention, opening  140  is arranged to accept an alignment post that is fixed to a motherboard. In this way, interposer  110  may be aligned to a motherboard. For example, interposer  110  may be aligned by aligning opening  120  with an opening on the motherboard, with threaded boss or collet, then turning or adjusting interposer  110  until opening  140  aligns with the alignment post. 
     Interposer  110  may include a number of contacts  130 . In this example, interposer may have 80 contacts, though in other embodiments of the present invention, interposer  110  may have different numbers of contacts. These contacts  130  may be arranged in various patterns. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, contacts  130  may have a 1.0 mm pitch, though in other embodiments of the present invention, contacts  130  may have different pitches. These contacts  130  may be square shaped, or that may have other shapes. For example, contacts  130  may be circular in nature. Interposer  110  may have contacts  130  on a top, as shown, and on a bottom side. Contacts  130  may be flat, plated areas, or they may include one or more spring-like or other types of contacts. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates contacts, or portions of contacts, on a first and second side of an interposer  210  according to an embodiment of the present invention. A spring contact  220  resides on a top or first side of interposer  210 . Contact  220  may form an entire contact, or two or more than two contacts  220  may form a single contact, such as contact  130 . Similarly, spring contact  230  resides on a bottom or second side of interposer  210 . Contacts  230  may form an entire contact, or two or more than two contacts  230  may form a single contact, such as contact  130 . 
     In this example, contact  220  is associated with contact  230 , and they are connected together via connection  240 . In other embodiments of the present invention, contact  220  and contact  230  may not be vertically aligned. 
     Once interposer  210  is placed on a motherboard, spring contacts  230  compresses in a direction  260 . Similarly, when a mating board is placed over interposer  210 , spring contacts  220  compresses in the direction  250 . These spring tensions associated with contacts  220  and  230  provide a reliable electronic connection between contacts on a motherboard and a mating board and interposer  210 . 
     Again, contacts on a bottom side of interposer  210  may be arranged to mate with contacts on a motherboard. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a portion of a motherboard  310  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Motherboard  310  may include a number of contacts  330 , which may be arranged to mate with contacts on a bottom side of interposer  110 . As before, these contacts may be arranged in other patterns, and they may have other shapes. For example, contacts  330  may be circular. 
     Motherboard  310  may include an opening, or threaded boss or collet  320 . Threaded boss or collet  320  may have threads along an internal wall  325 . Motherboard  310  may further include an alignment post  340 . Threaded boss or collet  320  and alignment post  340  may ensure proper alignment of an interposer and a mating board to motherboard  310 . Motherboard  310  may include other electronic components, such as components  360 , and interconnect lines (not shown). 
     Again, an interposer according to an embodiment of the present invention may include contacts on a bottom side to mate with contacts  330  on motherboard  310 . The interposer may further include contacts on a top side to mate with contacts on a bottom side of a mating board. An example of such a mating board is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of a portion of a mating board  410  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Mating board  420  includes a first opening  420  for accepting threaded boss or collet  320 . Mating board  410  may also include a second opening  440  for accepting alignment post  340  on motherboard  310 . As with the interposer  110 , mating board  410  may be aligned to motherboard  310  and interposer  110  by aligning opening, threaded boss or collet  320  with opening  420 , then turning or adjusting the position of mating board  410  until second opening  440  aligns with alignment post  340 . Mating board  410  may also include components, such as components  460 , and interconnect lines (not shown). 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of a motherboard  510 , interposer  520 , and mating board  530  according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, alignment post  580  is fixed to motherboard  510 . In other embodiments of the present invention, alignment post  580  may be fixed to another surface, or it may simply reside in an opening in motherboard  510 . Opening, threaded boss, or collet  540  is shown passing through motherboard  510 . An end piece  570  may be used to secure the threaded boss  540  to motherboard  510 . In other embodiments of the present invention, threaded boss or collet  540  may be attached to a top surface of motherboard  510 . Threaded boss or collet  540  may have a threaded interior surface for accepting screw  530 . In other embodiments of the present invention, other types of fasteners, such as push pins, conical pins, or other types of fasteners may be used. 
     Interposer  520  may include a first opening for accepting threaded boss, collet, or other fastener  540 , and a second opening for accepting an alignment post  580 . In other embodiments of the present invention, interposer  520  may include one, two, or three or more openings for various alignment features. In still other embodiments of the present invention, interposer  520  may include one or more alignment features. For example, one or more alignment features may be fixed to, or otherwise associated with, a bottom of interposer  520 , to ensure alignment to motherboard  510 . Similarly, one or more aligned features may be fixed to, or associate with, a top of interposer  520  to ensure alignment to mating board  530 . 
     Mating board  530  may also include openings for threaded boss or collet  540  and alignment post  580 . Mating board  530  may include one or more alignment features for aligning to either interposer  520 , or interposer  520  and motherboard  510 . 
     A screw  550  may be threaded into threaded boss  540  to secure motherboard  510 , interposer  520 , and mating board  530  together. A washer  560  may be used for further mechanical reliability. Washer  560  may be a flat washer, locking washer, or other type of washer. In other embodiments of the present invention, other types of fasteners may be used. 
     Again, it is desirable for the vertical height of the combination shown in  FIG. 5  to have a reduced thickness. Accordingly, some or all of the attachment and alignment features may be set into motherboard  510  or mating board  530 . An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates another side view of a motherboard  610 , interposer  620 , and mating board  630  according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, base or end piece  670  of threaded boss  640  is set into motherboard  610 , thereby reducing the thickness of the combined stack. Similarly, washer  660  and top of screw  650  are set into mating board  630 . Alignment post  680  does not protrude through a top of mating board  630 . That is, alignment post  680  is set or recessed into mating board  630 . In this example, mating board  630  may not include an opening in its top surface for alignment post  680 . Rather, instead of a full opening, a limited opening or indentation in a bottom of mating board  630  may be used. 
     Again, in various embodiments of the present invention, an interposer may be used to connect a motherboard to other components, such as a set of wires or a flexible circuit board. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of a mother board  710 , interposer  730 , mating board  730 , and wires or flexible circuit board  790 . In this example, interposer  720  provides a high-speed connection between motherboard  710  and wires or flexible circuit board  790 . Alignment post  780 , and screw  750 , threaded boss  740 , and washer  760 , may be used as before. 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart of a method of manufacturing of electronic component according to an embodiment of the present invention. In act  810 , a motherboard having contacts, a threaded boss, and an alignment post is provided. In act  820 , a non-rectangular interposer having a first opening to accept the threaded boss, a second opening to accept the alignment post, contacts on a first side, and contacts on a second side, is provided. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the non-rectangular interposer may be circular. In act  830 , the non-rectangular interposer is fit to the motherboard such that the first opening accepts the threaded boss, a second opening accepts the alignment post, and contacts on the first side of the interposer mate with contacts on the motherboard. In act  840 , a mating board having a first opening to accept the threaded boss, a second opening to accept the alignment post, and contacts on a first side is provided. In act  850 , the mating board is fitted to the non-rectangular or circular interposer such that the first opening accepts the threaded boss, the second opening accepts the alignment post, and contacts on a first side of the mating board mate with contacts on a second side of the interposer. In act  860 , the mating board, interposer, and motherboard are fastened together by inserting a screw into the threaded boss. 
     Again, in other embodiments of the present invention, other types of fasteners besides of screws and threaded bosses may be used. An example is shown in the following figures. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates another cross section of a mating board, interposer, and motherboard aligned and fastened together according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, an opening in mother or main logic board  910  is aligned with openings in a non-circular interposer  920  and mating board  930 . The opening in mother or main logic board  910  may extend through the motherboard  910  as a through hole, or the opening may stop partially through motherboard  910  as a blind hole. Expanding collet  940  may be placed through these openings. Set screw  970  may be used to fasten collet  940  to motherboard  910 . Bolt  980  may be used to secure interposer  920  and mating board  930 . 
     In a specific embodiment of the present invention, set screw  970  and bolt  980  may be inserted into collet  940  at the same time. Specifically, set screw  970  may have a threaded or notched top surface for accepting a tool. Bolt  980  may be hollow to allow insertion of the tool into set screw  970 . This tool may also turn bolt  980  into place, though a separate tool and separate assembly step may be used to insert bolt  980 . Spring  990  may be used to increase contact pressure and maintain mechanical stability. 
       FIG. 10  is another flow chart of a method of assembling a mating board, interposer, and motherboard according to an embodiment of the present invention. In act  1010 , a motherboard having contacts around a first opening and an alignment post is provided. A non-rectangular interposer having a first opening to align the first opening on the motherboard, a second opening to accept the alignment post, contacts on a first side, and contacts on a second side, is provided in act  1020 . In act  1030 , a mating board having a first opening to align to the first opening on a motherboard, a second opening to accept the alignment post, and contacts on a first side is provided. 
     In act  1040 , the non-rectangular interposer may be aligned to the motherboard such that the first opening aligns to the first opening on the motherboard, the second opening accepts the alignment post, and contacts on a first side of interposer mate with contacts on the motherboard. In act  1050 , the mating board may be aligned to the circular interposer such that the first opening aligns with the first opening on the motherboard, a second opening accepts the alignment post, and contacts on a first side of the mating board mate with contacts on a second side of interposer. The mating board, interposer, and motherboard may be secured by inserting a collet through the first openings, and a set screw and bolt may be inserted into the collet in act  1060 . 
     Again, in various embodiments of the present invention, interposers may have various shapes and sizes. For example, an interposer may be non-rectangular, or it may be square or rectangular. Also, different numbers of alignment features may be employed. For example, three alignment features may be used. An example of this is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a portion of an electronic system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This figure includes a motherboard or main-logic board  1110  having a first opening  1114 , a second opening  1112 , and a third opening  1116 . A number of contacts  1118  may surround these openings. These contacts may be metal plated contact areas printed on main-logic board  1110 . Opening  1114  may be a through hole, while openings  1112  and  1116  may extend only partway into main-logic board  1110 . Alignment post  1180  may fit into opening  1112 . Alignment pin  1190  may fit into opening  1190 . 
     Interposer  1120  may fit over alignment post  1180  and mate with main-logic board  1110 . Specifically, opening  1122  in interposer  1120  may fit over alignment post  1180 . A notch  1126  may accept alignment pin  1190 . Alignment pin  1190  may prevent clocking or turning of interposer  1120  when interposer  1120  is fastened to main-logic board  1110 . Contacts on an underside of interposer  1120  may mate with corresponding contacts  1118  on main-logic board  1110 . 
     Mating board  1130  may fit over alignment post  1180  and mate with interposer  1120 . Contacts on an underside of mating board  1130  may mate with contacts  1128  on a top side of interposer  1120 . Contacts  1128  and those on the underside of interpose  1120  may be spring contacts such as those shown above in  FIG. 2  and the other included examples. Contacts on the underside of mating board  1130  may be metal plated contact areas printed on mating board  1130 . 
     Various fasteners may be used to secure main-logic board  1110 , interposer  1120 , and mating board  1130  together. For example, the various fasteners described above may be used. Also, a screw may be used. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a screw fastening together a main-logic board, interposer, and mating board according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, a screw  1150  may pass through opening  1134  in mating board  1130 , opening  1124  in interposer  1120 , and opening  1114  in main-logic board  1110 . A washer or backer plate  1160  may be used and placed between a head of screw  1150  and mating board  1130 . Washer or backer plate  1160  may include a notch  1162  to fit around a top of alignment post  1180 . A second threaded backer plate  1170  may be placed under main-logic board  1110 . Screw  1150  may be screwed into threads of bracket plate  1170 . Backer plate  1160  may have a recessed portion to accept a head of screw  1150  to provide a low profile for the fastener. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a side view of the above assembly. In this example, interposer  1120  may reside on main-logic board  1110 . Mating board  1130  may reside on interposer  1120 . Screw  1150  may pass through these three structures. Backer plates  1160  and  1170  may be used as a washer and threaded portion to secure these features together. Alignment pin  1190  may be used as a third alignment feature, along with screw  1150  and alignment post  1180  (not shown.) 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, main-logic board  1110 , interposer  1120 , and mating board  1130  may be used for various functions. For example, main-logic board  1110  may be a main-logic board for a portable computer, portable media player, tablet computer, or other device. Mating board  1130  may be a board for a battery management unit to control a battery in the portable computer, portable media player, tablet computer, or other device. Mating board  1130  may be a board for other circuitry, such as memories, interface circuits, and others. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, these various components may be made of various materials. For example, screw  1150  and backer plates  1160  and  1170  may be formed using brass, nickel, steel, stainless steel, low-carbon steel, or other materials. They may be plated, for example with Nickel, matte tin, or other material. They may also be nylon, plastic, or other materials. 
     The above description of embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form described, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teaching above. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Thus, it will be appreciated that the invention is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of the following claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20120610
Publication Date: 20161018
Grant Date: 20161018
Priority Date: 20110210
Inventors: FOSNES GREG
MILETICH AARON
LIGTENBERG CHRIS
ANASTAS JAY
SHAHOIAN ERIK JAMES
KNOPF ERIC
ARNOLD PETER
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H05K2201/0311", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/09063", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/09027", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/144", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/10409", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/042", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/10378", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K3/368", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49147", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/141", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R12/73", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2203/167", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K3/368", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/09063", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/042", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/144", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2203/167", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R12/73", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/10378", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/10409", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49147", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/141", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/09027", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/0311", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 48571820