US 8,477,492 B2Granted

Formed PCB

AssigneeApple Inc.

InventorsFletcher R. Rothkopf, Phillip M. Hobson, Adam Mittleman, Anna-Katrina Shedletsky

Life of this patent

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Abstract

Methods for forming PCBs that can be used in a portable computing device are described. The PCBs can be installed in the portable computing device in a bent configuration. In a particular embodiment, a contiguously formed PCB can be shaped with two large regions connected a thin connector portion. The thin connector portion can connect components one each of the two large regions and can be used in lieu of a flex connector. In one embodiment, the PCB can be formed from multiple layers including trace and substrate layers. The trace and substrate layer can be adjusted to affect the stiffness of the PCB in various regions, such as to allow the PCB to hold a bent configuration after a bending moment is applied.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A portable electronic device comprising:

an enclosure;
a battery installed within the enclosure;
a number of device components installed within the enclosure;
and
a main logic board, including a processor and a memory, formed on a contiguous multi-layered printed circuit board, configured to receive power from the battery and control the portable electronic device, the printed circuit board comprising:
a first custom shaped portion configured to fit in a first space between the battery and the number of device components including the processor;
a second custom shaped portion configured to fit in a second space between the battery and the number of device components including circuitry for operating the portable electronic device;
and
a thin and narrow third portion installed in a pathway between the number of device components and the battery that connects the first space and the second space wherein the thin and narrow shaped portion only includes traces for providing data or power connections between the first custom shaped portion and the second custom shaped portion.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/859,712Filed 19 Aug 2010
Published: US 2012/0044637 A123 Feb 2012
Granted: 2 Jul 2013
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

H05K 7/1427
Printed circuit boards receptacles, e.g. stacked structures, electronic circuit modules or box like frames: housings
G06F 1/1626
For portable computers: with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
G06F 1/1658
Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable…: related…
G06F 1/181
Packaging or power distribution: enclosures