Compact ejectable component assemblies in electronic devices
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsJason Sloey, Michelle Yu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Electronic devices are provided with ejectable component assemblies. Each ejectable component assembly may include a tray that can be loaded with one or more types of removable module, such as a mini-SIM card and a micro-SIM card, and inserted into the device. Each assembly may also include a base coupled to a circuit board for electrically coupling with the removable module, a cage for biasing the module down against the base, and a guide for retaining the module at a functional insertion position within the device.
Claims25
A tray for inserting a removable module into an electronic device comprising:
- a back component configured to retain at least a portion of the module;
- and
- a front component fixed to the back component and configured to mate with an opening in a housing of the electronic device.
A method for forming a tray for an ejectable module assembly of an electronic device comprising:
- forming a back component for retaining at least a portion of an ejectable module;
- forming a front component for mating with an opening in a housing of the electronic device;
- and
- fixing the back component to the front component.
A method for forming a tray for an ejectable module assembly of an electronic device comprising:
- forming a back component for retaining at least a portion of an ejectable module;
- and
- providing a non-conductive element to at least one portion of the back component that is configured to touch an electrical contact of the module.
An electronic device comprising:
- a housing having an opening;
- a mounting component within the housing;
- a cage;
- a fixing element coupling the cage to the mounting component;
- and
- a tray operable to be inserted through the opening and into a space between the cage and the mounting component, wherein the fixing element only allows the tray to be inserted into the space when the tray is in a first orientation with respect to the mounting component.
An electronic device comprising:
- a housing having an opening;
- a guide within the housing;
- a tray operable to be inserted through the opening and along the guide;
- and
- a biasing mechanism comprising:
- a first end fixed to a first portion of the guide;
- a second end contacting a second portion of the guide;
- and
- a middle portion biased against a portion of the tray.
An electronic device comprising:
- a housing having an opening;
- a circuit board within the housing;
- a base coupled to the circuit board;
- an electrical pin extending away from the base;
- and
- a module operable to be inserted into the device through the opening and to contact the electrical pin, wherein the electrical pin is operable to deflect through a gap in the base in response to the module contacting the pin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.