Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
  • G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
  • G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
  • G06F1/1633—Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
  • G06F1/1656—Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
  • G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
  • G06F1/1601—Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
  • G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
  • G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
  • G06F1/1615—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers with several enclosures having relative motions, each enclosure supporting at least one I/O or computing function
  • G06F1/1616—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers with several enclosures having relative motions, each enclosure supporting at least one I/O or computing function with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
  • G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
  • G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
  • G06F1/1633—Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
  • G06F1/1637—Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
  • G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
  • G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
  • G06F1/1633—Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
  • G06F1/1656—Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories
  • G06F1/1658—Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories related to the mounting of internal components, e.g. disc drive or any other functional module
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
  • G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
  • G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
  • G06F1/1633—Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
  • G06F1/1662—Details related to the integrated keyboard

Definitions

• FIG. 6 is a flowchart that illustrates a method of coupling a midplane to a base frame.
• FIG. 9A is a diagram that illustrates a backbone component having at least a portion disposed within a channel of a base frame.
• FIG. 9B is a diagram that illustrates a cross-sectional view of the midplane shown in FIG. 9A.
• FIG. 9D is a diagram that illustrates the backbone component when protrusions are disposed within the corresponding recesses of the midplane shown in FIG. 9A.
• FIG. 13 is a diagram that illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a midplane coupled to a plate.
• FIG. 14A is a diagram that illustrates a top perspective view of a base frame of a computing device.
• FIG. 14B is a diagram that illustrates a bottom perspective view of the base frame shown in FIG. 14A.
• FIG. 16 is a diagram that illustrates the midplane shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B coupled to the base frame shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B.
• FIG. 17E is a diagram that illustrates a perspective view of an opposite side of the cover and plate shown in FIG. 17D.
• FIG. 22 illustrates another block diagram of a cross-section of a computer display including a bezel.
• FIG. 31A is a schematic illustration of the use of a thermal press to thermally bond two substrates together.
• FIG. 32 is an illustration of an example laptop computer.
• the base frame 130 has an outer surface 132 that defines at least a portion of an outer perimeter or profile of the base portion 120 of the computing device 100.
• the base frame 130 can be referred to as a C-case, or as a portion of a C-case.
• the computing device 100 is a laptop computing device.
• the display portion 110 is illustrated with dotted line in FIG. 1A so that other components of the computing device 100 can be visible.
• the base frame 130, the backbone component 140, and the midplane 150 can collectively define the basic structure of the base portion 140 of the computing device 100.
• the base frame 130, the backbone component 140, and the midplane 150 can be coupled together to as a structure of the computing device 100 that provides rigidity and/or structural integrity.
• the base frame 130, the backbone component 140, and the midplane 150 can be structures or components to which other components (e.g., keyboard, circuit board, display portion 110) of the computing device 100 can be coupled.
• the channel 160 included in the base frame 130 can provide rigidity and/or structural integrity to the computing device 100.
• the channel 160, when coupled to the midplane 150 can collectively define a rigid structure to which components (e.g., electronic components) of the computing device 100 can be coupled.
• one or more lengths of one or more portions of the midplane 150 can be less than or equal to one or more lengths of the opening 102 (along the same direction or parallel to one or more of the lengths of the midplane 150).
• the midplane 150 can include one or more components (or separate portions) that are coupled together using one or more coupling mechanisms such as a screw, a rivet, a weld, and/or so forth.
• FIG. 1C is a diagram that shows a cross-section (or cross-sectional profile) of at least the first side portion 135 of the base frame 130 along line A5 shown in FIG. 1A.
• the first side portion 135 includes walls (e.g., first wall, second wall, third wall) that are identified as a side wall 162 disposed between a top wall 161 and a bottom wall 163.
• the top wall 161, the side wall 162, and the bottom wall 163 can each be generically referred to as a wall.
• the walls 161, 162, 163 of the first side portion 135 define a portion 165 of the channel 160 or inner surfaces of the portion 165 of the channel 160.
• the portion 165 of the channel 160 (or the inner surfaces thereof) is disposed around or defines a recess region 164 (also can be referred to as a cavity), which is illustrated with a dashed line.
• a portion of the channel 160 can be referred to as a channel portion. Accordingly, a first portion of the channel 160 can be referred to as a first channel portion, and a second portion of the channel 160 can be a second channel portion. In some implementations, the first portion of the channel 160 and the second portion of the channel 160 can be portions of the same channel 160. In some implementations, a first channel portion and a second channel portion can be portions of separate or noncontiguous channels.
• the edge of midplane 150 can be a first edge and the recess region 164 of the channel 160 can be a first recess region.
• the midplane 150 can have a second edge (e.g., an opposite edge, and adjacent edge) disposed in a second recess region of the channel 160.
• a portion of the channel 160 defined by the cross-sectional profile of the proximal portion 134 can be coupled to the portion 165 of the channel 160 defined by the cross-sectional profile of the first side portion 135. Accordingly, a recess region defined by the portion of the channel 160 of the proximal portion 134 can be coupled to the recess region 164 of the portion 165 of the channel 160 of the first side portion 135.
• a backbone component (not shown) can be coupled to the first distal portion 236 and/or to the second distal portion 237.
• the backbone component can have at least a portion disposed within a portion of the channel 260 associated with the first distal portion 236 and/or can have at least a portion disposed within a portion of the channel 260 associated with the second distal portion 237. Because the backbone component can be coupled to the first distal portion 236 and/or to the second distal portion 237, the first distal portion 236 and/or to the second distal portion 237 can be referred to as backbone coupling portions of the base frame 230.
• a length B3 of the bottom wall 263 is less than a length B4 of the top wall 261. Accordingly, portions of the channel 260 associated with the palm rest regions 267 and the trackpad region (which includes the opening 266) can each have an asymmetrical cross-sectional profile (along a horizontal plane aligned along the base frame 230). Also, at least a portion of the channel 260 associated with the palm rest region coupled to the first side portion 235 has an asymmetrical profile while the extension portion of the first side portion 235 has a symmetrical cross-sectional profile.
• FIG. 3B is a diagram that illustrates a cross-sectional view of the midplane 250 and the base frame 230 cut along line Dl shown in FIG. 3 A.
• the midplane 250 has a length D3 that is longer than a length D2 between an inner edge 268 of a portion of (e.g., extension portion of) the top wall 261 associated with the first side portion 235 and an inner edge 269 of a portion of (e.g., extension portion of) the top wall 261 associated with the second side portion 238.
• FIG. 3C is a diagram that illustrates a cross-sectional view of insertion of at least a portion of the midplane 250 inside of the base frame 230.
• an edge 251 (or end portion) of the midplane 250 is inserted into a cavity (or recess region) defined by a portion of the channel 260 associated with the second side portion 238 of the base frame 230 along direction Dl l (approximately along direction Dl l).
• the midplane 250 is aligned along a plane DA that is nonparallel to a plane DB along which the base frame 230 is aligned.
• the length D3 of the midplane 250 (which extends between the edge 251 and the edge 252) is less than a length D6 between the inner edge 268 of the first side portion 235 and the inner surface 279 of the second side portion 238 so that the edge 251 of the midplane 250 can be inserted into the base frame 230 and the edge 252 of the midplane 250 can later be rotated into the base frame 230.
• the midplane 250 can be moved (e.g., shifted, slidably moved) within the base frame 230 along, for example, direction D9 and/or direction D10.
• the direction D9 and/or the direction D10 can be referred to as a translational direction.
• a first edge of a midplane is moved in a recess region of a first channel within a base frame of the computing device such that the midplane is aligned, during the inserting the first edge, along a first plane nonparallel to the second plane along which the base frame is aligned (block 400).
• the recess region can be a cavity.
• the first channel can be associated with a side portion and/or an extension of a base frame.
• FIG. 5A is a diagram that illustrates a base frame 530 including a channel 560.
• FIG. 5A also illustrates a midplane 550 for insertion into the base frame 530.
• the midplane 550 has outer edges for insertion into the channel 560 of the base frame 530.
• the base frame 530 includes a first extension 535 and a second extension 538.
• the edge 556 of the second portion 552 of the midplane 550 can be rotated into the page.
• a force can be applied along, for example, direction F3 to the second extension 538 (or a portion thereof) so that the second extension 538 can be extended such that the edge 556 (of the protrusion 558) can be moved adjacent to a cavity or recess region (not labeled) defined by the channel 560.
• the second extension 538 can be moved from a first position (or first configuration) shown in FIG. 5A to a second position (or second configuration) shown in FIG. 5B.
• the second extension 538 can be biased to the first position.
• the midplane 550 can include multiple protrusions (such as protrusion 558) or variations in length.
• the first extension 535 in addition to the second extension 538, can be moved so that the midplane 550 can be moved into the base frame 530.
• the first extension 535 can be moved before and/or after the second extension 538 is moved.
• the backbone component 970 can be in contact with at least a portion of the midplane 950.
• the backbone component 970 can be coupled to (e.g., fixedly coupled to) the midplane 950 using one or more coupling mechanisms such as a screw, a rivet, a weld, and/or so forth.
• a gap can be disposed between the backbone component 970 and the midplane 950.
• At least a portion of the midplane 950 is disposed within the channel 960 of the first side portion 935, and at least a portion of the midplane 950 is disposed within the channel 960 of the second side portion 938.
• the backbone component 970 can be slidably moved with respect to the midplane 950 and the base frame 930 (from a first position to a second position) along direction 18 from the configuration shown in FIGS. 9D and 9E to the configuration shown in FIG. 9A.
• a backbone component may not include a protrusion.
• a midplane may also not include a protrusion.
• the backbone component can be slidably moved along the midplane without having a protrusion that engages a recess of the midplane.
• a display portion is coupled to a backbone component (block 1020).
• the display portion can include a hinge that is coupled to the backbone component.
• the hinge can be coupled to the backbone component using one or more coupling mechanisms such as a screw, and/or so forth.
• the midplane 1250, the backbone component 1270, and the plate 1290 can each be made of a conductive material, or can include a conductive material. In some
• one or more of the midplane 1250, the backbone component 1270, and the plate 1290 can be made of an insulating material, or can include an insulating material.
• the plate 1290 can be made of a different material than the midplane 1250 and/or the backbone component 1270.
• the plate 1290 can be made of an aluminum material (or alloy) and the midplane 1250 can be made of a magnesium material (or alloy).
• the plate 1290 can be made of an aluminum material (or alloy), and the backbone component 1270 can be made of a magnesium material (or alloy).
• one or more foot pads (not shown) associated with the computing device can be coupled to the plate 1290.
• heat that is transferred to the plate 1290 can also be transferred to via the foot pads to another structure such as a table on which the computer devices is placed.
• FIG. 14A is a diagram that illustrates a top perspective view of a base frame 1430 of a computing device, according to an implementation.
• the base frame 1430 can be coupled together with, for example, a backbone component (not shown), and a midplane (not shown) as a structure of the computing device.
• the base frame 1430 has a channel 1460 that extends along the entirety of a perimeter of the base frame 1430.
• the channel 1460 is defined by a side wall 1462, a top wall 1461 and a bottom wall 1463.
• An inner surface 1464 of the channel 1460 is illustrated in FIG. 14A.
• the base frame 1430 also includes a first extension portion 1438 and a second extension portion 1439.
• a portion of the channel 1460 associated with the first extension portion 1438 is contiguous with a portion of the channel 1460 associated with the first distal portion 1436.
• a portion of the channel 1460 associated with the second extension portion 1437 is contiguous with a portion of the channel 1460 associated with the second extension portion 1439.
• a support member 1466 is disposed within the channel 1460.
• the support member 1466 is disposed between or extends between the top wall 1461 and the bottom wall 1463.
• the support member 1466 can also be in contact with a portion of the side wall 1462.
• the support member 1466 can be in contact with at least a portion of the inner surface 1464 of the channel 1460.
• the backbone component 1790 can be moved into (and coupled to) the midplane 1550 by moving the backbone component 1790 along direction LI.
• the direction LI can be a vertical direction that is normal to a plane along which the base frame 1430 and the midplane 1550 are aligned.
• the backbone component 1790 can then be moved along direction L2 to the position shown in FIG. 17A with the portions 1798, 1799 at least partially disposed within the channel 1460.
• the direction L2 can be orthogonal to (or substantially orthogonal to) direction LI.
• the direction L2 can be referred to as a distal direction because the direction L2 is along a direction away from the proximal portion 1434 of the base frame 1430.
• the direction L2 can also be aligned along (or within) a plane along which the base frame 1430 and the midplane 1550 are aligned.
• the direction L2 can be different than a direction L7, a direction L8, and/or a direction L9 along which edges of the midplane 1550 are moved into portions of the channel 1460.
• the direction L2 can be opposite direction L8, which can be a direction along which a proximal edge of the midplane 1550 is inserted into a portion of the channel 1460 associated with the proximal portion 1434 of the base frame 1430.
• the direction L2 can be orthogonal direction L7, which can be a direction along which a side edge of the midplane 1550 is inserted into a portion of the channel 1460 associated with a side of the base frame 1430.
• FIG. 17D is a diagram that illustrates a perspective view of a side of a cover 1780 coupled to the plate 1795 shown in FIG. 17C.
• the cover 1780 which can be referred to as a bottom cover, can define at least a portion or D-case of a housing of a computing device.
• the cover 1780 can define a cosmetic cover of the housing of the computing device.
• heat can be transferred from the plate 1795 to the cover 1780.
• the cover 1780 can be coupled to the assembly shown in FIG. 17C.
• the bezel frame 1815 may be configured to support the bezel 1820 as well as define the cavity 1825.
• the cavity 1825 may be configured to provide a route for passing other components (e.g., wires or cables).
• the cavity 1825 may be configured to provide an area for fixing other components (e.g., cameras and antennas).
• the bezel 1820 and/or the bezel frame may be configured to hold or help hold other components (e.g., a display panel) in a fixed position.
• the bezel 1820 may be configured to present an aesthetically pleasing finish for a computer device including the section of a computer display 1800.
• the cavity 1825 is shown as substantially rectangular, example implementations are not limited thereto.
• the cavity 1825 may be triangular or circular.
• the shape of the first portion 1815-1, the second portion 1815-2 and the third portion 1815-3 may vary accordingly in order to define the desired shape of the cavity 1825.
• FIGS. 19 through 21 illustrate front views, at different stages of assembly, of a computer display according to at least one example implementation.
• FIG. 19 illustrates a front view of the computer display in an assembled condition such that the bezel 1820 encloses other elements of the computer display 1900.
• the computer display 1900 may be associated with, for example, a laptop computer.
• the computer display 1900 may include the display casing 1805 and the bezel 1820.
• the computer display 1900 may further include a camera 1905, a microphone 1910, hinges 1915-1, 1915-2, a first wire bundle 1920, a connector 1925, a second wire bundle 1930, and a display panel 1935.
• the first wire bundle 1920 and the connector 1925 may function together to communicate signals from the computer display 1900 to, for example, a base portion (not shown) of a laptop computer.
• the first wire bundle 1920 and the connector 1925 may function together to communicate image data as captured by the camera 1905 to the base portion of the laptop computer, the base portion including an image processor.
• the first wire bundle 1920 may include one or more wires from the second wire bundle 1930. Wires associated with the first wire bundle 1920 and/or the second wire bundle 1930 may be routed under the bezel 1820. For example, the wires associated with the first wire bundle 1920 and/or the second wire bundle 1930 may be routed through the cavity 1825.
• the base portion of the laptop computer may be attached to the computer display 1900 using hinges 1915-1, 1915-2.
• the bezel guides 2010 may be configured to help position the bezel 1820 in a desired position. In addition, the bezel guides 2010 may be configured to help fix the bezel 1820 in a desired position.
• the bezel guides 2010 may be slots, holes, dimples and/or cutouts in the bezel frame 1815 that may extend partially into and/or completely through the bezel frame 1815 Alternatively, or in addition to, the bezel guides 2010 may be protrusions, projections and/or nodules extending out of the bezel frame 1815.
• the bezel guides 2010 may be any combination of slots, holes, dimples and/or cut-outs in the bezel frame 1815 and protrusions, projections and/or nodules extending out of the bezel frame 1815.
• FIG. 23 illustrates still another block diagram of a section of a computer display including a bezel according to at least one example implementation.
• the section of a computer display 2300 includes a display casing 2305, a display casing cutout 2310, a bezel frame 2315, a bezel 2320, a receptacle 2330, a guide 2335, a protrusion 2340, cable(s) 2345, an adhesive 2350, and a display panel frame 2355.
• the bezel frame 2315 may include a first portion 2315-1, a second portion 2315-2 and a third portion 2315-3.
• the first portion 2315-1, the second portion 2315-2 and the third portion 2315-3 may be configured to define a cavity 2325 through which cable(s) 2345 may be routed.
• the bezel frame 2315 may be configured to support the bezel 2320 as well as define the cavity 2325.
• the bezel frame 2315 may be configured to support the bezel 2320 by including portions (e.g., the first portion 2315-1 and 2315-3) in contact with both the display casing 2305 and the bezel 2320.
• the display casing cut-out 2310, together with the bezel frame 2315, may help support and help position the bezel 2320.
• the bezel 2320 may be affixed to the bezel frame 2315 using an adhesive 2350 (e.g., glue and/or adhesive tape).
• FIG. 24 illustrates yet another block diagram of a section of a computer display including a bezel according to at least one example implementation.
• the section of a computer display 2400 includes a display casing 2405, a top case section 2410, a bezel frame 2415, a bezel 2420, and a display panel frame 2455.
• the display casing 2405 includes one or more stanchions 2430-1 to 2430-3.
• the bezel frame 2415 may include a first portion 2415-1, a second portion 2415-2 and a third portion 2415-3.
• the second portion 2415-2 may be parallel, or substantially parallel to the bezel 2420.
• the second portion 2415-2 may be positioned between the display casing 2405 and the bezel 2420.
• the first portion 2415-1, the second portion 2415-2 and the third portion 2415-3 may define a cavity having a first volume.
• the first portion 2415-1, the second portion 2415- 2, the third portion 2415-3, and one or more stanchions 2430-1 to 2430-3 may be configured to define one or more cavities 2425-1 to 2425-3 each having a volume less than the first volume.
• the one or more cavities 2425-1 to 2425-3 may oriented or positioned within the cavity defined by the first portion 2415-1, the second portion 2415-2 and the third portion 2415-3.
• the one or more cavities 2425-1 to 2425-3 may define paths through which cable(s) 2440-1 and 2440-2 may be routed.
• the bezel frame 2615 may be configured to support the bezel 2620 by including portions (e.g., the first portion 2615-1 and 2615-2) in contact with the bezel 2620 and the display casing 2605.
• the display casing cut-out 2610, together with the bezel frame 2615, may help support and help position the bezel 2620.
• the display casing cut-out 2610 may support one end of the bezel 2620 in the display casing 2605.
• the second portion 2615-2 may be parallel, or substantially parallel to the bezel 2620. The second portion 2615-2 may be in contact with the bezel 2620 and positioned between the display casing 2605 and the bezel 2620.
• FIG. 30 illustrates a method of assembling a computer display according to at least one example implementation.
• a wire is inserted beside a stanchion formed on a display case.
• a wire e.g., cable 2445-2
• stanchion 2430-3 may be inserted beside stanchion 2430-3.
• FIGS. 31A through 38 Details related to thermal processing are described in connection with at least FIGS. 31A through 38 below.
• the implementations described in connection with FIGS. 31A through 38 can be combined with any of the implementations described in connection with FIGS. 1 through 30 and/or FIGS. 39 through 45.
• FIG. 32 shows an example laptop computer 3221.
• the laptop computer which may have a clamshell form factor, may be formed from two housings - a "display" or top housing 3222, and a "keyboard" or bottom housing 3223.
• Top housing 3222 may, for example, include a display, a touch screen, a cover glass, etc.
• Bottom housing 3223 may, for example, include circuit boards including electrical components, a keyboard, a track pad, etc.
• the top housing which may be pivotally connected by a hinge assembly 3224 to the bottom housing, may serve as a lid for the latter in a closed position of the laptop computer.
• thermoplastic adhesive film e.g., film 3130
• FIG. 34B which shows a face-down view of assembly 3400, illustrates bonding areas (e.g., bonding areas 1, 2 and 3) between midplane plate 3320 and cover 3310.
• a heated press block of a thermal press may be directly applied to exposed areas of midplane plate 3320 through an open face of cover 3310 to heat and press assembly 3400.
• Method 3600 further includes heating the first portion of the heat press block to a first temperature and heating the second portion of the heat press block to a second temperature higher than the first temperature (3640).
• the first temperature may, for example, be about 190 °C.
• the second temperature may, for example, be about 240 °C.
• the first portion heated to the first temperature may be in contact with a front portion of the midplane plate adjoining a track pad area of the computing device enclosure, while the second portion heated to the second temperature may be in contact with a rear portion of the midplane plate adjoining a key board area of the computing device enclosure.
• method 3700 includes gluing or coupling a surface portion of a midplane plate and a surface portion of a base frame of a laptop enclosure together using an intervening thermoplastic adhesive layer (3710), and applying a first amount of heat to a front portion and a second amount of heat to a rear portion of the midplane plate to soften the intervening thermoplastic adhesive layer (3720).
• Applying a first amount of heat to a front portion and a second amount of heat to a rear portion of the midplane plate 3720 may include applying a heat press block to the midplane plate, the heat press block having a first portion heated to a first temperature and a second portion heated to a second temperature in contact with the midplane plate (3730).
• a keyboard support member may be coupled to a base assembly of a computing device, thereby securing a keyboard assembly to the base assembly.
• the base assembly may define an opening within the base assembly, and the keyboard assembly may be placed within the opening of the base assembly.
• the structure of the base assembly may permit the keyboard assembly to be inserted from the top from the perspective of a user looking down on the computing device.
• the hinge 18 may connect the base assembly 12 with the display portion 14.
• the hinge 18 may be configured to allow the display portion 14 to rotate with respect to the base assembly 12 to provide the desired range of rotation to allow the display portion 14 to be positioned in the closed position or a range of open positions.
• the hinge 18 may also be configured to provide internal friction to maintain a selected open position of the display portion 14 relative to the base assembly 12.
• the base assembly 12 may include a first housing 24 having a unitary material structure, and a second housing 26 that is assembled with the first housing 24 of the base assembly 12 to enclose some of the internal components of the computing device 10.
• the internal components may include a printed circuit board that carries the computer's central processor and any additional processors such as for graphics or the like as well as the computer's random-access memory (RAM).
• the first housing 24 may be an upper housing located on an upper portion of the base assembly 12, and the second housing 26 may be a lower housing located on a lower portion of the base assembly 12.
• the first housing 24 may define an upper surface 28.
• the upper surface 28 of the base assembly 12 may define an area 62 adjacent to the keyboard assembly 70 and the trackpad assembly 66.
• a portion of the upper surface 28 may define an opening configured to receive the keyboard assembly 70.
• the computing device 10 may include the keyboard support member 50 configured to secure the keyboard assembly 70 to the base assembly 12.
• the keyboard support member 50 may include an outer circumference portion defining a support member bezel 52, and a lattice structure 54 defining a plurality of openings 56.
• the keyboard support member 50 may be configured to secure the keyboard assembly 70 to the base assembly 12 within a recess 32 defined by the first housing 24 of the base assembly 12 such that the plurality of keys 80 fit within the plurality of opening 56 defined by the lattice structure 54.
• the lattice structure 54 of the keyboard support member 50 may be configured to fit around the keys 80 of the keyboard assembly 70 through the openings 56 of the keyboard support member 50.
• an arrangement of the lattice structure (e.g., the size of the openings 56) may be dependent upon the type of keyboard configuration such that the opening 56 may be configured to receive the keys 80.
• the numbers of openings 56 of the keyboard support member 50 correspond to the number of keys 80 of the keyboard assembly 70. In other implementation, the number of openings 56 of the keyboard support member 50 is less than the number of keys 80 on the keyboard assembly 70. For example, an opening 56 may encompass one, two, three, or more keys 80. As such, although the lattice structure 54 may depend on the keyboard configuration, the number and size of the opening 56 defined by the lattice structure may widely vary.
• a wall 36 may extend between the upper surface 28 and the lower surface 35 and may define an outer periphery of the recess 32 that extends from the periphery defined by the keyboard opening 30.
• the recess 32 may be formed along the wall 36 of the first housing 24 with a depth extending from the upper surface 28 to the lower surface 35. As such, the recess 32 from the upper surface 28 defines the keyboard opening 30.
• the support member bezel 52 may be configured to engage the wall 36 of the base assembly 12 and the keyboard assembly 70.
• the keyboard assembly 70 may include a body in the form of a substrate 72 that defines substantially parallel and spaced-apart upper 76 and lower 74 surfaces.
• the substrate 72 further has affixed thereto, over the upper surface 76, the plurality of keys 80 configured to provide various inputs to the computing device 10 common of computer keyboards in general.
• the substrate 72 may define its own outer periphery that extends beyond the outermost ones of the keys 80 supported by substrate 72.
• the wall 36 of the recess 32 and the periphery of the substrate 72 can be configured such that the substrate 72 can be received within the recess 32 with the lower surface 74 of the substrate 72 resting on the lower surface 35 of recess 32.
• the particular fit between the substrate 72 and the recess 32 can vary, but in the present example can be such that keyboard assembly 70 can be moved into the recess 32 without significant resistance but such that lateral movement of keyboard assembly 70 within the recess 32 is limited.
• the relative sizes of the substrate 72 and the recess 32 can be adjusted to account for tolerances in the various manufacturing processes used in formation thereof.
• Other configurations of the substrate 72 and the recess 32 are possible, including those in which a press or resistance fit is achieved between the substrate 72 and the recess 32 or those in which a certain degree of lateral movement of the keyboard assembly 70 within the recess 32 is permitted with other features, such as adhesives or other fasteners used to maintain the lateral position of keyboard assembly 70 within the recess 32.
• the depth of the recess 32 relative to the overall height of the keyboard assembly 70 can be such that plurality of keys 80 are substantially even with the upper surface 28 of the first housing 24 or project slightly above the upper surface 28.
• the recess 32 may include an access opening 34 within the recess 32 to allow the keyboard assembly 70 to be connected with the internal components of the base assembly 12, such as the printed circuit board, for example.
• a connection cable (not shown) can extend from keyboard assembly 70 and can be extended through the access opening 34 to connect with a corresponding connection internal to the base assembly 12.
• a cable can extend from an internal component within the base assembly 12 that is configured to receive inputs from keyboard assembly 70 and can pass through the access opening 34 to be connected with the keyboard assembly 70 prior to the keyboard assembly 70 being placed within the recess 32.
• the first housing 24 of the base assembly 12 may be substantially open to the interior of the base assembly 12 within the keyboard opening 30 with a plurality of appropriately -positioned tabs or other support structures extending inward relative to the keyboard opening 30 to retain the keyboard assembly 70 in an appropriate position relative to the keyboard opening 30 and the upper surface 28 of the base assembly 12.
• the recess 32 can include a plurality of openings similar to the access opening 34 to provide additional pass-throughs for connection between the keyboard assembly 70 and the internal components of the base assembly 12 or to allow for cooling, weight reduction, or transmission of sound from internal speakers.
• the plurality of openings can be sized and positioned such that a web-like support structure that is substantially open to the interior of the base assembly 12 defining the recess 32.
• the recess 32 may be defined such that different types of keyboards may be placed within the recess 32 and then coupled to the base assembly via the keyboard support member 50.
• the structure of the recess 32 may permit the interchangeability of various kinds of keyboards.
• the keyboard support member 50 may be configured such that it can secure various types of keyboards.
• the lattice structure 54 may be generic enough to fit around the keys 80 of various types of keyboards.
• the lattice structure 54 may include strips of material that connects to each other that form an interlaced structure or pattern.
• the lattice structure 54 may include a plurality of first elongated members (having a certain thickness) that extend from one end of the keys 80 to the other end of keys 80, and a series of smaller second elongated members (having a certain thickness) that extend from each of the first elongated members and possibly connect to another first elongated member.
• the first elongated members may be horizontal and substantially parallel to each other, and the second elongated members may be vertical.
• the first elongated members may have the same or different thickness as the second elongated members.
• the first and second elongated members may be integrally formed such that their arrangement in the lattice structure 54 appears as one continuous material.
• the material of the support member bezel 52 may have a different thickness than the material of the lattice structure 54. In one implementation, the support member bezel 52 may have a greater thickness than the material of the lattice structure 54. In one example, the support member bezel 52 may include a first layer of material disposed on a second layer of material, whereas the lattice structure 54 may include the first layer of material.
• the keyboard support member 50 may include the lattice structure 54 defining the opening 56, but not the support member bezel 52.
• the lattice structure 54 may include portions that fit around at least some of the keys.
• the keyboard support member 50 may not include an outer circumference portion that is disposed on the outside of the outermost keys 80.
• the lattice structure 54 e.g., the series of first and second elongated members
• the lattice structure 54 may extend to the edge of the keyboard opening 30 (or the first housing 24), and the interference between the lattice structure 54 and the base assembly 12 may secure the keyboard assembly 70 into position.
• FIG. 43 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the computing device 10 according to an implementation.
• the keyboard support member 50 is coupled to the base assembly 12 with the keyboard assembly 70 located between the keyboard support member 50 and the base assembly 12.
• the keyboard support member 50 may be configured to secure the keyboard assembly 70 to the base assembly 12 within the keyboard opening 30 defined by the base assembly 12 such that the plurality of keys 80 are within the openings 56 defined by the lattice structure 54.
• the keyboard support member 50 may be coupled to the base assembly 12 based on thermoplastic staking.
• thermoplastic staking also referred to as heat staking
• portions of the keyboard support member 50 e.g., portions of the support member bezel 52
• portions of the first housing 24 may be heated to connect the keyboard support member 50 to the base assembly 12.
• the keyboard support member 50 may be coupled to the base assembly 12 based on an interference fit.
• the structure of the keyboard support member 50 may be dimensioned such that the keyboard support member 50 may fit around the keys 80, and in between the keyboard assembly 70 and the first housing 24.
• the support member bezel 52 may engage the keyboard assembly 70 and the wall 36 such that the keyboard support member 50 is securely fixed.
• the keyboard opening 30 may be defined by the recess 32, which is defined by the first housing 24 that includes a lower surface 35 that is generally parallel to and positioned below the upper surface 28.
• a wall 36 may extend between the upper surface 28 and the lower surface 35 and may define an outer periphery of the recess 32 that extends from the periphery defined by the keyboard opening 30.
• the recess 32 may be formed along the wall 36 of the first housing 24 with a depth extending from the upper surface 28 to the lower surface 35. As such, the recess 32 from the upper surface 28 defines the keyboard opening 30.
• pressure may be applied to the keyboard support member 50 thereby creating an interference fit between the keyboard support member 50 and the base assembly 12.
• the structure of the keyboard support member 50 may be dimensioned such that the keyboard support member 50 may fit around the keys 80, and in between the keyboard assembly 70 and the first housing 24.
• the support member bezel 52 may engage the keyboard assembly 70 and the wall 36 such that the keyboard support member 50 is securely fixed.
• machine-readable storage device (computer-readable medium, a non-transitory computer- readable storage medium, a tangible computer-readable storage medium) or in a propagated signal, for processing by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus, e.g., a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple computers.
• a computer program such as the computer program(s) described above, can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment.
• a computer program can be deployed to be processed on one computer or on multiple computers at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.
• processors suitable for the processing of a computer program include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer.
• a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both.
• Elements of a computer may include at least one processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data.
• a computer also may include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks.
• implementations may be implemented on a computer having a display device, e.g., a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor, for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by which the user ca provide input to the computer.
• a display device e.g., a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor
• keyboard and a pointing device e.g., a mouse or a trackball
• Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Mathematical Physics (AREA)
• Devices For Indicating Variable Information By Combining Individual Elements (AREA)
• Casings For Electric Apparatus (AREA)
• Liquid Crystal (AREA)
• Circuit For Audible Band Transducer (AREA)

Priority Applications (3)

Applications Claiming Priority (8)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=52744605

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Cited By (5)

Families Citing this family (3)

Citations (5)

Family Cites Families (6)

• 2014
  • 2014-09-30 TW TW107147147A patent/TW201921223A/zh unknown
  • 2014-09-30 KR KR2020167000021U patent/KR200489226Y1/ko active IP Right Grant
  • 2014-09-30 WO PCT/US2014/058388 patent/WO2015048772A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2014-09-30 DE DE212014000191.9U patent/DE212014000191U1/de active Active
  • 2014-09-30 CN CN201490001197.4U patent/CN206671943U/zh active Active
  • 2014-09-30 TW TW103134082A patent/TWI650631B/zh active
  • 2014-09-30 CN CN201721449128.1U patent/CN208335054U/zh active Active

Patent Citations (5)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events