Printed circuit board features of a portable computer
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsGavin J. Reid, Joss N. Giddings, William F. Leggett, Thomas R. Tate, Gary S. Thomason
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods, tools and fixtures for assembling a printed circuit board (PCB), such as a main logic board (MLB), in a portable computer device are described. A connector assembly having an electrically conductive gasket mounted on an edge of the MLB is described. In addition, a keyboard assembly including a notched portion of the MLB for accommodating more than one type of keyboard is described. In addition, a PCB assembly having a bracket to support a weak region of the PCB during assembly is described. In addition, a method for shielding an antenna cable situated on an MLB is described.
Claims29
A connector assembly of a portable computing device, the connector assembly comprising:
- a receptacle configured to accept a connector, wherein the connector is configured to connect to an external electronic device;
- an opening formed in a housing of the portable computing device, the opening configured to substantially conform to the receptacle;
- an electrically conductive gasket comprising:
- an elongated portion configured to provide mechanical and electrical contact with a portion of the housing of the portable computing device;
- and
- at least one finger portion that is mechanically and electrically coupled to the elongated portion, wherein the at least one finger portion is electrically coupled to the receptacle such that a ground path is formed between the external electronic device and the housing of the portable computing device via the electrically conductive gasket.
A keyboard assembly of a portable computing device, the keyboard assembly comprising:
- a first web having a first support structure and a plurality of first openings configured to accept a plurality of first keys, wherein the first support structure has a first boss configured to accept a first fastener;
- a main logic board configured to accept input from the plurality of first keys, the main logic board having a notch corresponding to the first boss and configured to accept the first fastener, wherein the notch has a suitable size and shape to correspond to a second boss of a second web and configured to accept a second fastener.
A printed circuit board assembly for a portable computing device, the printed circuit board assembly comprising:
- a base having a plurality of attachment features for attaching a plurality of components to the base, wherein the base has a cut out having the size and shape to accept a part therein, wherein the base has a mechanically weak region which can experience mechanical strain during handling when the cut out is empty, wherein the mechanically weak region has reduced dimensions relative to other portions of the base;
- and
- a bracket having a size an shape corresponding to the cut out, wherein the mechanically weak region experiences less mechanical strain when the bracket is positioned in the cut out and attached to the base compared to when the cut out is empty.
A method of assembling a printed circuit board in a portable computing device, the method comprising:
- receiving a printed circuit board, the printed circuit board having a base which has a plurality of attachment features for attaching a plurality of components to the base, wherein the base has a cut out having the size and shape to accept a part therein, wherein the base has a mechanically weak region which can experience mechanical strain during handling when the cut out is empty, wherein the mechanically weak region has reduced dimensions relative to other portions of the base;
- forming a printed circuit board assembly by mounting a bracket in the cut out, the bracket having a size an shape corresponding to the cut out, wherein the mechanically weak region experiences less mechanical strain when the bracket is positioned in the cut out and attached to the base compared to when the cut out is empty;
- assembling the printed circuit board assembly in the portable computing device;
- removing the bracket from the cut out of the printed circuit board;
- and
- mounting the part in the cut out of the printed circuit board.
A method for shielding an antenna cable in a portable computing device, the method comprising:
- receiving a printed circuit board, the printed circuit board comprising:
- a base configured to accept a plurality of components;
- a radio card mounted on the base, the radio card having at least one connector for attaching an antenna cable thereto, wherein the radio card is configured to process radio signals received and/or transmitted from/to an antenna via the antenna cable;
- and
- a high-definition multimedia interface receptacle positioned at the edge of the base, wherein the high-definition multimedia interface receptacle is configured to connect to and communicate with a corresponding high-definition multimedia interface connector for an external device;
- mounting a shield on the base between the radio card and the high-definition multimedia interface receptacle, wherein the shield reduces the electromagnetic noise experienced by the radio card and the antenna cable generated by high-definition multimedia interface receptacle;
- and
- disposing a separator on at least a portion of the surface of the shield, wherein the separator reduces electromagnetic noise experienced by the antenna cable emitted from the shield by providing a distance gap between the antenna cable and the shield.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.