U.S. patent application number 15/979329 was filed with the patent office on 2019-11-14 for self-retaining device assemblies.
This patent application is currently assigned to Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC. Invention is credited to Eric Mun Khai LEONG, Gary Russell MCCLARY, Byungkwan MIN, Tuomas Erkki NIEMI.
Application Number | 20190349668 15/979329 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 66530452 |
Filed Date | 2019-11-14 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190349668 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MCCLARY; Gary Russell ; et
al. |
November 14, 2019 |
SELF-RETAINING DEVICE ASSEMBLIES
Abstract
The description relates to computing devices, such as mobile
computing devices employing mesh covers. One example can include a
frame that defines a perimeter of the device. An inwardly facing
portion of the frame can define a recess that has opposing upper
and lower surfaces. A self-retaining assembly can be positioned in
the recess and can expand against the upper and lower surfaces to
retain the self-retaining assembly in the recess without external
mechanisms.
Inventors: |
MCCLARY; Gary Russell;
(Palisade, CO) ; NIEMI; Tuomas Erkki; (Sammamish,
WA) ; MIN; Byungkwan; (Kirkland, WA) ; LEONG;
Eric Mun Khai; (Kirkland, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC |
Redmond |
WA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Microsoft Technology Licensing,
LLC
Redmond
WA
|
Family ID: |
66530452 |
Appl. No.: |
15/979329 |
Filed: |
May 14, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04R 1/288 20130101;
H04M 1/035 20130101; H04R 1/086 20130101; H04R 2499/11 20130101;
H04R 1/023 20130101; G06F 1/1688 20130101; G06F 1/1626
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04R 1/28 20060101
H04R001/28; H04R 1/02 20060101 H04R001/02 |
Claims
1. A device, comprising: a frame defining a perimeter of the
device, an inwardly facing portion of the frame defining a recess
having opposing upper and lower surfaces; and, a self-retaining
assembly positioned in the recess and expanding against the upper
and lower surfaces to retain the self-retaining assembly in the
recess without external mechanisms, the self-retaining assembly
comprising a mesh speaker cover layer and a layer defining a sound
channel that extends from under the mesh speaker cover layer away
from the frame and toward a center of the device.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the recess is C-shaped.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the recess approximates a portion
of a rectangle.
4. (canceled)
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the layer defining the sound
channel is a layer of resilient material that is compressible under
force and when the force is removed expands toward the upper and
lower surfaces.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein the resilient material comprises
a foam material.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein the foam material comprises an
acoustic foam.
8. (canceled)
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the mesh speaker cover is
non-metallic.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein the mesh speaker cover comprises
a fabric mesh.
11. The device of claim 10, wherein the mesh speaker cover is
proximate to an antenna of the device.
12. The device of claim 11, wherein the mesh speaker cover is in a
no RF interference zone of the device.
13. A device, comprising: a frame defining a perimeter of the
device, an inwardly facing portion of the frame defining a recess
having opposing upper and lower surfaces; and, a set of layers
positioned in the recess and extending along a plane, the set of
layers defines a sound channel that extends from an external
opening to an internal cavity that contains an electronic
component, the set of layers further comprising a mesh cover
positioned over the external opening and a resilient layer
positioned between the upper and lower surfaces that biases the
mesh cover toward the upper surface.
14. The device of claim 13, wherein the sound channel extends
parallel to the plane.
15. The device of claim 13, wherein the resilient layer defines and
seals the sound channel.
16. The device of claim 13, wherein the resilient layer comprises a
sound deadening acoustic foam.
17. The device of claim 13, wherein the mesh cover comprises a
speaker cover and the electronic component comprises a speaker.
18. The device of claim 13, wherein the mesh cover comprises a
microphone cover and the electronic component comprises a
microphone.
19. A device, comprising: a frame defining a perimeter of the
device, an inwardly facing portion of the frame defining a recess
having opposing upper and lower surfaces; a mesh cover; and, a
resilient layer expanding toward the upper and lower surfaces for
retaining the mesh cover in the recess and further defining a
channel that extends from an external opening to an internal cavity
of the device.
20. The device of claim 19 further comprising a display positioned
centrally to the frame and wherein the resilient layer retains a
first side of the mesh cover and the display retains a second
opposite side of the mesh cover.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0001] The accompanying drawings illustrate implementations of the
concepts conveyed in the present document. Features of the
illustrated implementations can be more readily understood by
reference to the following description taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings. Like reference numbers in the various
drawings are used wherever feasible to indicate like elements.
Further, the left-most numeral of each reference number conveys the
FIG. and associated discussion where the reference number is first
introduced.
[0002] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example computing device
implementation in accordance with the present concepts.
[0003] FIG. 2 is a partial cut-away perspective view of an example
computing device implementation in accordance with the present
concepts.
[0004] FIGS. 3A-3E are sectional views of example mesh covers and
self-retaining assemblies in accordance with the present
concepts.
DESCRIPTION
[0005] The present concepts relate to computing devices employing
mesh covers, such as relative to electronic components of the
devices. The present concepts can provide a recess in a frame of
the device. A self-retaining assembly that includes the mesh cover
can be positioned in the recess. Expansion forces exerted by the
self-retaining assembly on the frame can retain the mesh cover
relative to the frame and in some cases, provide simultaneous
benefits, such as providing an air tight seal. These and other
aspects are described in more detail below.
[0006] FIG. 1 shows an example device 100 manifest as a tablet type
device. The device 100 can include a frame 102, a display 104, and
a mesh cover 106.
[0007] This example includes two mesh covers 106(1) and 106(2). In
this instance, mesh cover 106(1) can function as a speaker cover
(e.g., mesh speaker cover) and mesh cover 106(2) can function as a
microphone cover (e.g., mesh microphone cover). Mesh covers could
be employed for other purposes. In this case, the frame 102 can
define a perimeter 108 of the device. The mesh covers 106 can be
positioned relative to an inner edge 110 of the frame 102. In this
case the mesh covers 106 are positioned between the frame 102 and
the display 104.
[0008] FIG. 2 shows frame 102 can include an inwardly-facing
portion 202 that can define an inwardly-facing recess 204. The
recess can be defined by opposing upper and lower surfaces 206 and
208. A self-retaining assembly 210 can be positioned in the recess
204. In this example, the self-retaining assembly 210 can define a
sound channel 212 that extends horizontally (e.g., parallel to the
xy-reference plane) from below the mesh cover 106(1) to an
electronic component 214 positioned toward a center of the device
100, such as in an internal cavity. In this example, the electronic
component 214 can be manifest as a speaker 216 positioned in the
internal cavity of the device 100. A display glass 218 can be
positioned over the center of the device 100. The display glass 218
can extend over a portion of the self-retaining assembly 210 and
abut the mesh cover 106.
[0009] FIGS. 3A-3E show another device 100(1) in various stages of
assembly. In FIG. 3A, the self-retaining assembly 210 is separate
from the frame 102. In this example, the self-retaining assembly
210 can include multiple layers 300, such as multiple pressure
sensitive adhesive (PSA) layers 302, an acoustic mesh (e.g., dust
cover) 304, and a resilient layer 306, such as an acoustic foam
308.
[0010] In this implementation, the recess 204 is defined by the
frame 102. Further, the frame 102 can be a single integral element.
Stated another way, a portion 310 of the frame 102 that includes
recess 204 can be a single element rather than being formed from
multiple elements that are secured together. This configuration is
not possible with traditional technologies, but is enabled by the
recess 204 and the self-retaining assembly 210 as will be explained
below. The recess 204 can approximate a portion of a rectangle as
indicated at 312 when viewed in the cross-sectional view of FIG.
3A. The recess 204 can have other shapes in various
implementations. For instance, the recess can be `C` shaped.
Further, in this implementation, the upper surface 206 of the
recess can have a chamfered or tapered face 314 to facilitate
positioning the self-retaining assembly 210 in the recess 204.
[0011] FIG. 3B shows the self-retaining assembly 210 positioned on
the frame 102 and ready to be moved laterally (e.g., in the
y-reference direction) into the recess 204. Note however, that a
height H.sub.1 of the self-retaining assembly 210 is greater than a
height H.sub.2 of the recess 204 (as defined between the upper and
lower surfaces (206 and 208 of FIG. 3A)). The height H.sub.1 of the
self-retaining assembly 210 includes a first thickness T.sub.1 of
the acoustic foam 308.
[0012] FIG. 3C shows a downward force represented by arrow 316
being applied to the self-retaining assembly 210 proximate to the
recess 204. This downward force (e.g., in the z-reference
direction) 316 can be sufficient to compress self-retaining
assembly 210. Specifically, this downward force 316 can compress
acoustic foam 308 from first thickness T.sub.1 (FIG. 3B) to a
second thickness T.sub.2 (measured proximate to the recess 204).
Eventually, compression is sufficient that height H.sub.1A of the
self-retaining assembly 210 is less than height H.sub.2 of recess
204. At this point, a lateral force (e.g., in the y-reference
direction) can be applied as represented by arrow 318 to move the
self-retaining assembly 210 toward and into the recess 204.
[0013] FIG. 3D shows the self-retaining assembly 210 positioned in
the recess 204. Once lateral positioning is complete, downward
force 316 proximate to the recess can be eliminated. Once downward
force 316 is eliminated, acoustic foam 308 can expand (in the
z-reference direction) to a third thickness T.sub.3 that is greater
than thickness T.sub.2 of FIG. 3C, but less than T.sub.1 of FIG.
3B. In fact, the acoustic foam 308 can expand until the
self-retaining assembly 210 contacts the upper and lower surfaces
206 and 208 of the recess 204 and the frame 102 constrains further
expansion. The expansive nature of the acoustic foam 308 can exert
forces represented by arrows 320 on the other layers of the
self-retaining assembly 210 and force the self-retaining assembly
against the upper and lower surfaces 206 and 208 of the recess 204.
(The upper and lower surfaces 206 and 208 are not labeled on FIG.
3D to avoid clutter on the drawing page; see FIG. 3A). This
expansive force 320 can retain the self-retaining assembly 210 in
the recess 204 without any external measures, such as compressing
the frame against the self-retaining assembly by threaded
fasteners, for instance.
[0014] The resilient and expansive nature of the acoustic foam 308
can also seal the sound channel 212. Stated another way, the
expansive nature of the acoustic foam can create an air tight seal
around the sound channel 212. The air tight seal can reduce and/or
eliminate sound escaping from and/or entering the sound channel
212. Thus, the air tight seal can enhance the acoustic performance
of the device and hence user satisfaction. In these cases, a single
element, such as the acoustic foam can both retain the
self-retaining assembly 210 relative to the frame 102 and seal the
sound channel 212. Utilizing a single element to achieve multiple
functionalities can allow the device 100 to be thinner in the
z-reference direction (as desired by potential buyers) and less
complex (e.g., fewer parts, increased reliability, and/or decreased
production costs), among other potential advantages.
[0015] From one perspective, the acoustic foam 308 can be viewed as
a resilient material that can be compressed under force during
assembly. When the compressive force is removed, the resilient
material expands toward its original dimensions. In this case, the
expansion can continue until the upper and lower surfaces 206 and
208 block further expansion (e.g., height H.sub.1B of the
self-retaining assembly 210 equals height H.sub.2 of recess 204).
Further still, the resilient nature of the acoustic foam 308 can
accommodate manufacturing tolerances in the height H.sub.2 of
recess 204 and/or the thickness of any of the layers of the
self-retaining assembly 210. More specifically, the resilient
nature of the acoustic foam 308 can expand slightly further to
accommodate under-tolerance dimensions of the self-retaining
assembly relative to the recess and slightly less to accommodate
over-tolerance dimensions of the self-retaining assembly relative
to the recess.
[0016] This expansive force represented by arrows 320 can be
sufficient to activate pressure sensitive adhesive 302(1). The
pressure sensitive adhesive 302(1) can further assist in securing
the mesh cover 106(1) relative to the frame 102.
[0017] FIG. 3D also shows that once the self-retaining assembly 210
is positioned in the recess 204, additional downward force
represented by arrow 322 can be exerted on the self-retaining
assembly 210 to activate pressure sensitive adhesive 302(3) and
further secure the self-retaining assembly relative to the frame
102 distant from the recess 204.
[0018] FIG. 3E shows display glass 218 positioned over a portion of
the self-retaining assembly 210. The display glass 218 can be
forced downward in a similar manner to arrow 322 of FIG. 3D to
activate pressure sensitive adhesive 302(2). The activated pressure
sensitive adhesive 302(2) can retain the display glass 218 when the
force is removed. From one perspective, the resilient nature of
acoustic foam 308 can hold a first side (e.g., left side in the
illustration) 324 of the mesh cover 106(1) in the device 100(1).
The display glass 218 can retain a second opposite side (e.g., the
right side in the illustration) 326 of the mesh cover 106(1) in the
device 100(1). Thus, a one-piece frame can be employed without
seems and without need for `clamping` the frame to the mesh cover
106(1) to hold the mesh cover in place.
[0019] Frame 102 can be made from various materials including
metals and polymers. Various types of resilient layer 306 materials
can be employed, such as various polymers. Acoustic foam 308 can be
a foam material, such as a resilient polymer that tends to reflect
sound waves rather than allowing the sound waves to pass through.
Mesh cover 106(1) can be a metallic based material, such as steel,
titanium, aluminum, magnesium, etc. Alternatively, mesh cover
106(1) can be non-metal based (e.g., non-metallic). For instance,
the mesh cover material can be a fabric, such as a polymer fabric.
In some cases, the fabric can be coated with other materials.
Polymer fabric materials can be used proximate to the device's
antenna where metals may cause interference (e.g., no rf
interference zone).
ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES
[0020] Various examples are described above. Additional examples
are described below. One example includes a device comprising a
frame defining a perimeter of the device, an inwardly facing
portion of the frame defining a recess having opposing upper and
lower surfaces and a self-retaining assembly positioned in the
recess and expanding against the upper and lower surfaces to retain
the self- retaining assembly in the recess without external
mechanisms.
[0021] Another example can include any of the above and/or below
examples where the recess is C-shaped.
[0022] Another example can include any of the above and/or below
examples where the recess approximates a portion of a
rectangle.
[0023] Another example can include any of the above and/or below
examples where the self-retaining assembly comprises multiple
layers.
[0024] Another example can include any of the above and/or below
examples where an individual layer comprises a resilient material
that is compressible under force and when the force is removed
expands toward the upper and lower surfaces.
[0025] Another example can include any of the above and/or below
examples where the resilient material comprises a foam
material.
[0026] Another example can include any of the above and/or below
examples where the foam material comprises an acoustic foam.
[0027] Another example can include any of the above and/or below
examples where an individual layer comprises a mesh speaker cover
and wherein another layer defines a sound channel that extends from
under the mesh speaker cover away from the frame and toward a
center of the device.
[0028] Another example can include any of the above and/or below
examples where the mesh speaker cover is non-metallic.
[0029] Another example can include any of the above and/or below
examples where the mesh speaker cover comprises a fabric mesh.
[0030] Another example can include any of the above and/or below
examples where the mesh speaker cover is proximate to an antenna of
the device.
[0031] Another example can include any of the above and/or below
examples where the mesh speaker cover is in a no RF interference
zone of the device.
[0032] Another example includes a device comprising a frame
defining a perimeter of the device, an inwardly facing portion of
the frame defining a recess having opposing upper and lower
surfaces and a set of layers positioned in the recess and extending
along a plane, the set of layers defines a sound channel that
extends from an external opening to an internal cavity that
contains an electronic component, the set of layers further
comprising a mesh cover positioned over the external opening and a
resilient layer positioned between the upper and lower surfaces
that biases the mesh cover toward the upper surface.
[0033] Another example can include any of the above and/or below
examples where the sound channel extends parallel to the plane.
[0034] Another example can include any of the above and/or below
examples where the resilient layer defines and seals the sound
channel.
[0035] Another example can include any of the above and/or below
examples where the resilient layer comprises a sound deadening
acoustic foam.
[0036] Another example can include any of the above and/or below
examples where the mesh cover comprises a speaker cover and the
electronic component comprises a speaker.
[0037] Another example can include any of the above and/or below
examples where the mesh cover comprises a microphone cover and the
electronic component comprises a microphone.
[0038] Another example includes a device comprising a frame
defining a perimeter of the device, an inwardly facing portion of
the frame defining a recess having opposing upper and lower
surfaces, a mesh cover, and a resilient layer expanding toward the
upper and lower surfaces and retaining the mesh cover in the
recess.
[0039] Another example can include any of the above and/or below
examples where the device further comprises a display positioned
centrally to the frame and wherein the resilient layer retains a
first side of the mesh cover and the display retains a second
opposite side of the mesh cover.
CONCLUSION
[0040] Although techniques, methods, devices, systems, etc.,
pertaining to self-retaining assemblies are described in language
specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is
to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended
claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts
described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as
exemplary forms of implementing the claimed methods, devices,
systems, etc.
* * * * *