An Apple patent (number 2012176277) for electronic devices having multi-purpose cowling structures and a compass mounted on a flex circuit has appeared at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. It’s designed to offer more power, longer battery life and less weight in portable devices.

Per the patent, multi-purpose cowling structures are provided to minimize spacing impact within an electronic device, while maximizing functional utility. In one embodiment, an electromagnetic interference shield may provide one or more anchors for enabling a logic board cowling to apply sufficient downward force to one or more board connectors to prevent inadvertent disconnects.

In another embodiment, a cowling can electrically connect the ground plane of a logic board to the ground plane of a housing member and provide a pre-load force to a conductor connection existing on logic board. A compass mounted on a flexible printed circuit board is also provided. Mounting the compass on a flexible printed circuit board enables the compass to be mounted remote from ferrous object that may affect the compass’s performance.

Here’s Apple’s background and summary of the invention: “Portable electronic devices are ubiquitous in today’s society and users of these devices expect each new generation to include more features, more power, longer battery life, and less weight. These expectations can place severe design constraints on packaging and board layout. In addition, the compressed packaging of components can result in electrical or magnetic interference that can affect the device’s performance. Accordingly, structures are needed to alleviate the above-mentioned constraints and interference issues.

“Multi-purpose cowling structures are provided to minimize spacing impact within an electronic device, while maximizing functional utility. In one embodiment, an electromagnetic interference shield may provide one or more anchors for enabling a logic board cowling to apply sufficient downward force to one or more board connectors to prevent inadvertent disconnects. In another embodiment, a cowling can electrically connect the ground plane of a logic board to the ground plane of a housing member and provide a pre-load force to a conductor connection existing on logic board. A compass mounted on a flexible printed circuit board is also provided. Mounting the compass on a flexible printed circuit board enables the compass to be mounted remote from one or more ferrous objects that may affect the compass’s performance.”

The inventors are Shayan Malek, Jared Kole and Nikko Lubinski.

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