US 9,109,093 B2Granted

Formation of structural components using ceramic fibers

AssigneeApple Inc.

InventorsMichael K. Pilliod, Paul Choiniere

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Abstract

Materials, apparatus and methods of forming structural components for consumer electronics devices are described. In one embodiment, ceramic fibers, such as alumina, are mixed with a thermoplastic, such as nylon, to form a composite material usable in an injection molding process. The volume percent of ceramic fibers used with the thermoplastic can be selected to improve the strength properties of the composite material. Pigments can be added to the composite material to affect its aesthetic appeal. In one embodiment, the composite material including the ceramic fibers can be used to form frame components usable in a consumer electronic device. The frame components can be load bearing structures that are externally visible or used within the interior of the device.

Claims19

Dependent claims

An electronic device, comprising:

an external enclosure, comprising:
a first conductive metal component;
and
a separate second conductive metal component, wherein at least one of the first conductive metal component and the second conductive metal component functions as a wireless antenna to provide radio-frequency communication for the electronic device;
wherein the first conductive metal component and the second conductive metal component are part of an external frame or an internal frame for the electronic device;
a non-conductive interface component molded between adjacent edges of the first and second conductive metal components and that rigidly joins the first and second conductive metal components to form a least a portion of the enclosure, the non-conductive interface component providing radio frequency isolation between the first conductive metal component and the second conductive metal component and wherein the non-conductive interface component is formed from a composite material comprising:
a non-conductive thermoplastic material;
and
a non-conductive ceramic fiber filler material within the thermoplastic material;
and
a processor received within the external enclosure and operatively connected to the wireless antenna.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/040,116Filed 3 Mar 2011 · us provisional application
Priority: 27 Sep 2010
Published: US 2012/0076573 A129 Mar 2012
Granted: 18 Aug 2015
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification21 codes

C08J 5/0405
Reinforcing macromolecular compounds with loose or coherent fibrous material: with inorganic fibres
B29C 45/0005
Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor: using fibre…
C08K 3/22
Oxides; Hydroxides: of metals
C08K 7/08
Inorganic: oxygen-containing compounds