PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9257218-B2
Application Number: US-201213631751-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Using magnets to position cables/flexes during system assembly

Abstract:
Methods and tools for positioning cables using magnets during assembly of a consumer electronic product are described. Methods described are well suited in the manufacture of portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, computer tablets and the like. Methods involve attaching magnetic components to cables and to one or more surfaces within the enclosure of the electronic devices. During assembly, the magnetic components on the cables magnetically couple with corresponding magnetic components on the surfaces within the enclosure. In this way, the cables can be secured in certain positions and out of the way during the assembly of the electronic device. In some instances, the cables can remain magnetically secured after assembly and during the operation of the electronic device. In other instances, the magnetic components are decoupled after assembly thereby releasing the cables from their secured positions during operation of the electronic device.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of assembling electronic components within an enclosure of a portable electronic device, the method comprising:
 securing a cable to a surface within the enclosure by magnetically coupling a magnetically attractable element to a magnetically attractable cable holder, the magnetically attractable element coupled with the cable and the magnetically attractable cable holder coupled with the surface, the cable configured to electrically couple at least two of the electronic components, 
 wherein the magnetically attractable element and the magnetically attractable cable holder are positioned within the enclosure when the magnetically attractable element and the magnetically attractable cable holder are coupled together. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetically attractable element remains magnetically coupled with the magnetically attractable cable holder during operation of the electronic device. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising decoupling the magnetically attractable element from the magnetically attractable cable holder prior to operation of the electronic device. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetically attractable element comprises:
 an outer cylindrical surface; and 
 an inner cylindrical cavity concentric to the outer cylindrical surface, the inner cylindrical cavity configured to engage an outer jacket of the cable. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the magnetically attractable cable holder comprises:
 a curved surface configured to receive and engage the outer cylindrical surface. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetically attractable element has a toroidal or hoop shape. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cable is a coaxial cable configured to couple an antenna with an associated transceiver. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cable is part of a flexible circuit assembly. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the surface is a surface of a component within the enclosure. 
     
     
       10. A method of assembling an internal component within an enclosure of a portable electronic device, the method comprising:
 creating a space within the enclosure for the internal component by securing a cable to a surface within the enclosure, the cable configured to electrically couple at least two electronic components of the portable electronic device, wherein the cable is secured by magnetically coupling a magnetically attractable element that is attached to the surface within the enclosure with a magnetically attractable cable holder that is attached to the cable, 
 wherein the magnetically attractable element and the magnetically attractable cable holder are positioned within the enclosure when the magnetically attractable element and the magnetically attractable cable holder are coupled together. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the magnetically attractable cable holder and/or the magnetically attractable element comprises a permanent magnet. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the magnetically attractable cable holder and/or the magnetically attractable element comprises an electromagnet. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the cable is secured to the surface in a predefined configuration. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 10 , wherein one of the magnetically attractable cable holder and the magnetically attractable element is a permanent magnet and the other of magnetically attractable cable holder and the magnetically attractable element is a non-magnetic material. 
     
     
       15. A system for routing a cable in a housing for an electronic device, the system comprising:
 a magnetically attractable element coupled with the cable, the magnetically attractable element having an outer cylindrical surface and an inner cylindrical cavity concentric to the outer cylindrical surface, the inner cylindrical cavity configured to engage with an outer jacket of the cable; and 
 a magnetically attractable cable holder configured to magnetically couple with the magnetically attractable element and secure the cable to an interior surface of the housing, wherein the magnetically attractable cable holder includes a curved surface configured to receive the outer cylindrical surface of the magnetically attractable element. 
 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the magnetically attractable element is configured to provide a ground path for the cable. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the magnetically attractable element and/or the magnetically attractable cable holder comprises a permanent magnet. 
     
     
       18. A portable electronic device, comprising:
 a housing configured to house electronic components; and 
 a system for routing a cable within the housing, the cable configured to electrically couple at least two of the electronic components, the system comprising:
 a magnetically attractable element coupled with the cable, and 
 a magnetically attractable cable holder coupled with a surface within the housing, wherein the magnetically attractable cable holder is configured to magnetically couple with the magnetically attractable element and secure the cable to the surface, wherein the magnetically attractable element and the magnetically attractable cable holder are positioned within the housing when the magnetically attractable element and the magnetically attractable cable holder are coupled together. 
 
 
     
     
       19. The portable electronic device of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 an internal component, wherein a space within the housing for internal component is created when the magnetically attractable element is magnetically coupled with the magnetically attractable cable holder. 
 
     
     
       20. The portable electronic device of  claim 18 , wherein the magnetically attractable element and/or the magnetically attractable cable holder comprises a permanent magnet. 
     
     
       21. The portable electronic device of  claim 18 , wherein the magnetically attractable cable holder and/or the magnetically attractable element comprises an electromagnet.

Description:
FIELD OF THE DESCRIBED EMBODIMENTS 
     The described embodiments relate generally to the assembly of electronic devices. More specifically, embodiments describe methods and tools for using one or more magnets to position cables during assembly of the electronic devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Consumer electronic products generally have multiple wires and cables connecting various components situated within an enclosure. During assembly, the wires and cables can get in the way of positioning the various components within the enclosure, especially during “blind” assembly when a component obstructs the view of other components and wires while they are being assembled. 
     A current trend in consumer electronics is to provide portable computing devices that are smarter and capable of doing more complex operations. From an assembly viewpoint, this means installing more components within a small enclosure, making it more difficult to maneuver the various components and cables within the enclosures. In addition, some situations require that certain wires and components be separated or not contact each other once the electronic device is assembled. 
     SUMMARY 
     This paper describes various embodiments that relate to methods and tools for assembling cables and components within an electronic device such that the cables are positioned using magnets within the enclosure of the electronic device. Methods described are can be used for assembling components in the manufacture of portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, computer tablets and the like. 
     According to one embodiment described herein, methods for manufacturing an electronic device having an enclosure and a plurality of components include: attaching at least one magnetically attractable element to at least one cable, the at least one cable configured to electrically couple two or more components of the electronic device; attaching at least one magnetically attractable cable holder to a surface within the electronic device, the at least one magnetically attractable cable holder configured to magnetically couple with the at least one magnetically attractable element; and during assembly of the plurality of components, allowing the at least one magnetically attractable element to magnetically couple with the at least one magnetically attractable cable. 
     According to another embodiment, a method for manufacturing an electronic device having an enclosure and a plurality of components include: attaching at least one magnetically attractable element to at least one cable, the at least one cable configured to electrically couple two or more components of the electronic device; activating at least one magnetically attractable cable holder configured to magnetically couple with the at least one magnetically attractable element; and during assembly of the plurality of components, allowing the at least one magnetically attractable element to magnetically couple with the at least one magnetically attractable cable holder such that the at least one cable is secured to the surface in a predefined configuration. 
     According to another embodiment, system for cable routing in electronic devices includes: a magnetically attractable element configured to engage with a cable; and a magnetically attractable cable holder configured to magnetically couple with the magnetically attractable element and secure the cable to an interior surface of a device housing. 
     According to another embodiment, a system for manufacturing an electronic device having an enclosure and a plurality of components includes: an electromagnetic fixture configured to receive and support the electronic device, the electromagnetic fixture comprising at least one electromagnet; and at least one magnetically attractable element configured to engage with at least one cable, the at least one cable configured to electrically couple two or more components of the electronic device, the at least one magnetically attractable element further configured to magnetically couple with the at least one electromagnet. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings with like reference numerals designating like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIGS. 1A-1C  illustrate top views of an electronic device during an assembly process using a magnetic cable holder assembly in accordance with described embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating steps for assembling an electronic device using a magnetic cable holder assembly in accordance with described embodiments. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate a perspective view and a side view, respectively, of a magnetically attractable band in accordance with described embodiments. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate a perspective view and a cross section view, respectively, of portion of a magnetically attractable band-cable assembly in accordance with described embodiments. 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate a perspective view and a side view, respectively, of a magnetically attractable cable holder in accordance with described embodiments. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate a perspective view and a cross section view, respectively, of portion of a magnetically attractable band-cable assembly coupled to a magnetically attractable cable holder in accordance with described embodiments. 
         FIG. 7A-7E  illustrate various views of a magnetically attractable band-cable assembly having grounding capability in accordance with described embodiments. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of an electronic device with a magnetic cable holder assembly in accordance with described embodiments. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a cross section view of a portion of an electronic device having a magnetic cable holder assembly in accordance with described embodiments. 
         FIGS. 10A-10E  illustrate side views of various embodiments of magnetic cable holder assemblies in accordance with described embodiments. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a side view of a magnetic cable holder assembly having coded magnetic arrays in accordance with described embodiments. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates an electromagnetic fixture for securing a cable during assembly of an electronic device in accordance with described embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following disclosure describes various embodiments of electronic devices, such as portable electronic devices including, for example, mobile telephones. Certain details are set forth in the following description and Figures to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the present technology. Moreover, various features, structures, and/or characteristics of the present technology can be combined in other suitable structures and environments. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, operations, and/or systems are not shown or described in detail in the following disclosure to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the various embodiments of the technology. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, however, that the present technology can be practiced without one or more of the details set forth herein, or with other structures, methods and components. 
     Representative applications of methods and apparatuses according to the present application are described in this section. These examples are being provided solely to add context and aid in the understanding of the described embodiments. It will thus be apparent to one skilled in the art that the described embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the described embodiments. Other applications are possible, such that the following examples should not be taken as limiting. 
     In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the description and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in accordance with the described embodiments. Although these embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice the described embodiments, it is understood that these examples are not limiting, such that other embodiments may be used, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments. 
     The following describes methods and tools used for assembling cables and electronic components within an enclosure of an electronic device. During a typical assembly process, some of components of an electronic device are assembled first within the enclosure of the device. Then, various cables are plugged into the assembled components to connect them to other components within the enclosure. Often, this requires the use of a service loop which is an extra length of cable to provide accessibility, freedom of movement and/or neatness during the assembly procedure. If the enclosure of the device is small and the number of components is large, however, the extra length of cable may impede the assembly process or take up valuable space within the housing that could otherwise be used for components. 
     In addition, in a conventional assembly process, once the device is fully assembled the cables are usually allowed to lie at any location and in any configuration within the enclosure, including on top of or beneath other components of the device. This can become an issue if the configuration of the cables affects the performance of the device. For instance, many electronic devices can include antennas for providing Wi-Fi, 3G, Long Term Evolution (LTE), and/or Bluetooth capability. In some cases, the performance of antennas can depend on the accurate configuration and placement of the antenna cables. The antennas can be tuned for best performance given a certain cable configuration. However, if the positions of the antenna cables are inconsistently configured within the enclosures from device to device, one device may have a better antenna performance than another device depending upon the antenna cable configuration of each device. 
     Methods and tools described herein allow for the consistent positioning of cables during assembly of an electronic device using a magnetic cable holder assembly. In addition, the magnetic cable holder assembly described herein can allow the securing of cables so as to allow better access to different components during the assembly process. Since the cables can be positioned out of the way during assembly, in some cases a shorter service loop can be used. Various embodiments of magnetic cable holder assemblies will now be described. 
       FIGS. 1A-1C  illustrate top down views of an electronic device  10  using a magnetic cable holder assembly during an assembly process in accordance with described embodiments.  FIG. 1A  shows device  10  having an antenna  14 , a transmitter/receiver (transceiver)  16 , a battery  18 , and a cable  20  which connects antenna  14  and transceiver  16 , all assembled within housing  12 . As shown, cable  20  is positioned on top of battery  18  and therefore impedes the assembly of additional components or housing cover that may be placed on top of battery  18 . In addition, since cable  20  is not tethered, the configuration of cable  20  can vary from device to device, thereby affecting the performance of antenna  14  differently in each device. At  FIG. 2B , device  10  is fitted with a magnetic cable holder assembly in accordance with described embodiments. The magnetic cable holder assembly includes element  22 , which is attached to cable  20 , and cable holder  24 , which is attached to housing  12 . Element  22  and cable holder  24  are made of magnetically attractable material such that they can magnetically couple with each other. For example, element  22  can be made of a permanent magnetic material, such as ferrous or rare earth magnetic material, and cable holder  24  can be made of a non-magnetic material but magnetically attractable material, such as a magnetically attractable metal (e.g., iron, steel, etc.). In alternative embodiments, cable holder  24  is made of a permanent magnetic material and element  22  is made of a non-magnetic material but magnetically attractable material. Element  22  can be attached to cable  20  using any suitable method, including for example, use of an adhesive, crimping or soldering. Cable holder  24  can be attached to the surface of housing  12  using any suitable method, including for example, soldering, welding, or fastening using one or more screws. At  FIG. 1C , element  22  is allowed to magnetically couple to cable holder  24  such that cable  20  is secured to an interior surface of housing  12 . As shown, cable  20  is no longer positioned on top of battery  18 , thus facilitating the assembly of an additional component or a housing cover on top of battery  18 . In addition, since cable  20  can be secured in the same defined configuration in other similar devices, the performance of antenna  14  can be tuned for optimal performance based on the defined configuration of cable  20 . In this way, the performance of antenna  14  in each device will be tuned for optimal performance. 
     As described above, a magnetic cable holder assembly in accordance with described embodiments can be used to secure a cable during an assembly process.  FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating steps for assembling an electronic device using a magnetic cable holder assembly in accordance with described embodiments. At  200 , an enclosure and components for an electronic device is received for assembly. The components can include, for example, a battery, an antenna, integrated circuits, printed circuit boards (PCBs), a flex circuit, a camera, and the like. In some embodiments the enclosure has an electrically conductive portion that allows for grounding of certain components. At  202 , a magnetically attractable element is attached to a cable used to electrically couple two or more components of the electronic device. The cable can be any type of cable used for electronic communication of two or more components of the electronic device, including a coaxial cable, a wire, a flex circuit cable or multiple wires/cables banded together. The magnetically attractable element can have any suitable shape for attaching to a cable, including a flat rectangular member attached to a side of the cable or a cylindrical or toroidal shaped member having an interior cylindrical cavity configured to receive the cable. At  204 , a magnetically attractable cable holder is attached to a surface in the enclosure. The surface can be, for example, an internal surface of the housing or a surface of one or more components. The magnetically attractable cable holder can have any suitable shape for accepting the magnetically attractable element. If, for example, the magnetically attractable element is cylindrically shaped, the magnetically attractable cable holder can have a curved surface corresponding to a curved exterior portion of the cylindrically shaped magnetically attractable element. 
     At  206 , the magnetically attractable element is allowed to couple with magnetically attractable cable holder during assembly of the components of the device. As describe above with reference to  FIGS. 1A-1C , the magnetically attractable element and the magnetically attractable cable holder are configured to magnetically couple with each other. As such, one or both of the magnetically attractable element and magnetically attractable cable holder can include a permanent magnetic material, such as ferrous or rare earth magnetic material. If one of the magnetically attractable element or magnetically attractable cable holder is not made of a permanent magnetic material, it includes at least a portion that is made of magnetically attractable material such as a ferrous material. After the assembly of the electronic device is complete, in some embodiments the magnetically attractable element is allowed to decouple from the magnetically attractable cable holder such that the two pieces are no longer coupled during the operation of the device. In other embodiments, the magnetically attractable element and magnetically attractable cable holder remain magnetically coupled after the assembly and during the operation of the electronic device. 
     As described above, a magnetic cable holder assembly in accordance with described embodiments includes a magnetically attractable element and magnetically attractable cable holder. Also as described above, the magnetically attractable element and magnetically attractable cable holder can be any suitable shape.  FIGS. 3-7  illustrate embodiments of a magnetically attractable element and a magnetically attractable cable holder having particular shapes that can be used in accordance with described embodiments. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate a perspective view and a side view, respectively, of a magnetically attractable element shaped as a band  300 . Band  300  has outer cylindrical wall  301  and inner cylindrical wall  302  which is concentric with outer cylindrical wall  301 . Band  300  can also be referred to as a ferrule, hoop or ring. Inner cylindrical wall  302  defines inner cylindrical cavity  303  which is configured to receive a cable. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate a perspective view and a cross section view, respectively, of portion of a magnetically attractable band-cable assembly  400 . As shown, cable  401  is positioned inside the cylindrical cavity of band  300 . Cable  401  is a coaxial cable having jacket  401 , shield  402  (typically kept at ground potential), insulator  403  and signal conductor  404 . Although particularly described and illustrated as a coaxial cable, it should be readily understood that embodiments of the invention are applicable to any suitable cable, including cables with one of more conductors not arranged coaxially, single conductor wires, flexible flat interconnect cables, or any other suitable cable. 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate a perspective view and a side view, respectively, of a magnetically attractable cable holder shaped as a cradle. Cradle  500  has a base  501  with cut out  503  shaped to have a curved surface  502  configured to accept band  300 . 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate a perspective view and a cross section view, respectively, of magnetic cable holder assembly  600 . Magnetic cable holder assembly  600  has cable  401  positioned in band  300 , which is in turn inserted in and magnetically coupled to cradle  500 . If magnetic cable holder assembly  600  is assembled in an enclosure during an assembly process, cable  401  can be secured at the surface in which cradle  500  is affixed. As described above, the surface can be on the enclosure or on a component of the device. 
       FIG. 7A-7E  illustrate various views of a magnetically attractable band-cable assembly  700  having grounding capability in accordance with described embodiments. This configuration can be useful for situations when a cable that is being secured also requires grounding. 
       FIGS. 7A-7C  show band  310  attached to coax cable  410 , where band  310  is electrically coupled to shield  412 . In order to couple band  310  to shield  412 , a portion  411  of jacket  413  is removed, as shown in  FIG. 7B . In a typical configuration, shield  412  is held at ground potential during operation of the electronic device. Thus, when the magnetically attractable band-cable assembly  700  is magnetically coupled to a corresponding cradle which is affixed to a grounded surface such as the enclosure of the electrical device, shield  412  will be grounded to the enclosure. 
       FIGS. 7D and 7E  show two separate embodiments for attaching a band to a coaxial cable in a manner in which the band is electrically coupled to a coax shield. Referring to the embodiment of  FIG. 7D , magnetically attractable band-cable assembly  701  is formed by coupling a first piece  311  and a second piece  312  of band  310  around a portion of cable  411 . After a portion of insulating jacket  413  has been stripped revealing shield  402 , first  311  and second  312  pieces of band  310  can be soldered directly to shield  402 . 
     Turning to a different embodiment shown in  FIG. 7E , magnetically attractable band-cable assembly  702  is formed by positioning band  313  around a portion of shield  402 . Band  313  has a cutout portion  314  that allows band  313  to be positioned around the cable. Solder  315  is used to couple band  313  to shield  402  as well as fill in cutout portion of band  313 . Alternatively, conductive adhesive or other suitable adhesive forms may be used to couple the band  313  to shield  402 . 
     As described above, the magnetic cable holder assemblies described herein can have various configurations in order to secure cables inside an enclosure for an electronic device during assembly, and in some cases, after assembly and during the operation of the electronic device. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an electronic device  25  with a magnetic cable holder assembly that secures a cable during the operation of the device. Device  25  has a metal enclosure  26 , battery  40  and an electrically conductive band  42  around the perimeter of enclosure  26  that can act as an antenna. Antenna  42  electrically communicates with transceiver  38  at connectors  34  and  36  via coaxial cable  28 . As shown, coaxial cable  28  can be secured to housing  26  using bands  30  which are magnetically coupled to cradles  44 , which are in turn electrically coupled to metal enclosure  26 . Bands  30  are electrically coupled to the shields of coaxial cable  28 , such as described in the configuration of  FIGS. 7A-7E . In this way, coaxial cable  28  for antenna  42  can provide a ground potential to enclosure  26  at bands  30  and cradles  44 . In addition, because cable  28  can be secured in a defined configuration around battery  40  using bands  30  and cradles  44  from device to devices, antenna  42  can be tuned to an optimal performance based on the defined configuration of cable  28 . Dotted line  32  shows the conventional placement of cable  28  without the use of bands  30  and cradles  44 . Dotted line  32  shows that the cable without the magnetic cable holder assembly would lie under the battery and be allowed to have any configuration from device to device, thereby detrimentally affecting the performance of antenna  42 . 
     The magnetic cable holder assemblies described herein can also be used to secure cables in non-coplanar surfaces within an electronic device.  FIG. 9  is a cross section view of a portion of an electronic device having a magnetic cable holder assembly securing cables at non-coplanar surfaces. Electronic device  45  has a flexible circuit antenna  52  that has a portion positioned on top of carrier  50 . Carrier  50  provides a flat surface for positioning flex circuit antenna  52  close to cover glass  48  for optimal performance of flexible circuit antenna  52 . Magnetically attractable elements  54  and  58  are attached to flexible circuit antenna  52  and are magnetically coupled to magnetically attractable cable holders  56  and  60 , respectively. As shown, magnetically attractable element  54  and cable holder  56  secure flexible circuit antenna  52  to a surface of carrier  50 . Magnetically attractable element  58  and cable holder  60  secure flexible circuit antenna  52  to a surface of enclosure  46 . Flexible circuit antenna  52  has a defined configuration which can be repeated from device to device. Thus, flexible circuit antenna  52  can be tuned for optimal performance given this defined repeatable configuration. 
       FIGS. 3-7  described above illustrate a magnetically attractable element and cable holder in the form of corresponding bands and cradles, respectively. It should be noted that the magnetic cable holder assemblies described herein can have any suitable shapes and sizes. For example,  FIGS. 10A-10E  are side views of various embodiments of magnetic cable holder assemblies in accordance with described embodiments. 
       FIG. 10A  shows magnetic cable holder assembly  100  having a u-shaped magnetically attractable element  102  configured to receive a cable in opening  138 . Magnetically attractable holder components  104  and  108  are attached to a surface within the enclosure of an electronic device. U-shaped element  102  is magnetically coupled to parts  104  and  106  with a cable positioned therein, thereby securing the cable during assembly. 
       FIG. 10B  shows magnetic cable holder assembly  108  having a u-shaped magnetically attractable element  110  configured to receive a cable in opening  140 . During assembly, u-shaped element  110  is magnetically coupled to magnetically attractable cable holder  112  with a cable secured therein. 
       FIG. 10C  shows magnetic cable holder assembly  114  having a u-shaped magnetically attractable element  116  configured to receive a cable in opening  142 . During assembly, u-shaped element  116  is magnetically coupled to magnetically attractable cable holder  152 , which includes a magnetically attractable portion  118  and a non-magnetically attractable portion  120 . 
       FIG. 10D  shows magnetic cable holder assembly  122  having a wide u-shaped magnetically attractable element  124  configured to receive a wide cable, such as a cable as part of a flexible electronic component, in opening  144 . During assembly, wide u-shaped element  124  is magnetically coupled to magnetically attractable cable holder parts  126  and  128  with a cable secured therein. It should be noted that single piece cable holders, such as cable holders  112  and  152 , can alternatively be used. 
       FIG. 10E  shows magnetic cable holder assembly  130  having multiple openings  146 ,  148  and  150  configured to receive multiple cables. During an assembly process, magnetic cable holder assembly  130  is magnetically coupled to magnetically attractive cable holders  134  and  136  to secure multiple cables. It should be noted that single piece cable holders, such as cable holders  112  and  152 , can alternatively be used. 
     As described above, magnetic cable holder assemblies described herein have corresponding magnetically attractable elements and magnetically attractable cable holders that are magnetically coupled at least during an assembly process of an electronic device. In some embodiments, the magnetically attractable elements and magnetically attractable cable holders can each have an array of magnetic components. For example,  FIG. 11  illustrates side views of magnetic cable holder assemblies having coded magnetic arrays in accordance with described embodiments. 
     At  FIG. 11 , magnetically attractable cable holder  1112  has regions  1108  of a first polarization P 1  and regions  1106  of a second polarization P 2 . Magnetically attractable cable holder  1112  can be attached to a surface within an enclosure of an electronic device. Cable  1114  can be used for electronic communication between two or more components within the electronic device. Cable  1114  has polarized magnetic bands  1102  and  1104  attached thereto. During assembly of the electronic device, polarized magnetic bands  1102  can be attracted to polarized magnetic portions  1106  and polarized magnetic bands  1104  can be attracted to polarized magnetic portions  1108 . This configuration can be useful in situations where it is desirable to have longer lengths of cable  1110  secured to a particular location and in a particular configuration, such as in a corner configuration shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     In some embodiments, an electromagnetic fixture can be used to secure a cable to a particular location in an enclosure during assembly. As an example,  FIG. 12  illustrates electromagnetic fixture  1200  having a base  1201  and electromagnet  1203 . Dashed line  1202  represents one or more alignment members which can include, for example, corner and side stops, used to position an enclosure  1207  of electronic device  1206  thereon. Electronic device  1206  includes components  1210 ,  1211  and  1212  with cable  1208  electrically coupling components  1210  and  1212 . Magnetically attractable element  1209  is attached to cable  1208 . Magnetically attractable element  1209  can be made of permanent magnetic material or a magnetically attractive material such as iron or steel. Power is supplied to electromagnet  1203  by power supply  1205  which is controlled by switch  1204 . When switch  1204  is off, no power is supplied to electromagnet  1203  and electromagnet  1203  will not act as a magnet. During an assembly process, electronic device  1206  is positioned on top of base  1201  and enclosure  1207  is physically aligned using alignment members  1202 . Switch  1204  is then used to turn on power supply  1205  which activates electromagnet  1203  such that electromagnet  1203  can electromagnetically couple with magnetically attractable element  1209 , thereby positioning cable  1208  into a desired position within enclosure  1207 . Note that although electromagnet  1203  and magnetically attractable element  1209  do not directly contact each other, they are still magnetically coupled. After the assembly process of electronic device  1206  is complete, switch  1204  is used to turn off power to electromagnet  1203 , thereby allowing electromagnet  1203  and magnetically attractable element  1209  to decouple. 
     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 specific embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the described 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: 20120928
Publication Date: 20160209
Grant Date: 20160209
Priority Date: 20120928
Inventors: GIBBS KEVIN D.
WRIGHT DEREK W.
RAFF JOHN
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "Y10T29/5313", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49002", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B25B11/002", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F7/0252", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/5313", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49002", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F7/0252", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B25B11/002", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 50384597