초록 ▼

A top case assembly for a portable computer is disclosed. The assembly may include an integral unified (e.g., homogenous) top case formed from a single part. The integral top case provides an enclosure, frame and cosmetic exterior of the portable computer. The integral top case also serves as the pr

A top case assembly for a portable computer is disclosed. The assembly may include an integral unified (e.g., homogenous) top case formed from a single part. The integral top case provides an enclosure, frame and cosmetic exterior of the portable computer. The integral top case also serves as the primary structure of the portable computer. The assembly may include a variety of subassemblies such as keyboards, touchpads, circuit boards, and drives that are carried by the underside of the integral top case. The integral top case may be formed from aluminum slab that has been machined to form walls, openings, attachment areas and cosmetic areas of the top case.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method to create an enclosure of an electronic device, comprising: machining a metal slab to produce a single homogenous part that serves as an integral primary enclosure configured to enclose circuitry of the electronic device, wherein, prior to machining the metal slab, the metal slab has out

1. A method to create an enclosure of an electronic device, comprising: machining a metal slab to produce a single homogenous part that serves as an integral primary enclosure configured to enclose circuitry of the electronic device, wherein, prior to machining the metal slab, the metal slab has outer surfaces that form outer dimensions and wherein machining the metal slab includes selectively removing material from the outer surfaces of the metal slab to reduce the outer dimensions of the metal slab and to form an integral top wall and side walls of the enclosure. 2. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the metal slab comprises an aluminum slab, wherein the single homogenous part provides structural support for the electronic device, wherein machining the metal slab comprises removing material from surfaces of the aluminum slab in a rough cutting operation and in at least one detailed cutting operation. 3. The method defined in claim 1 wherein machining the metal slab comprises a rough machining operation and at least one detailed machining operation, wherein the metal slab comprises an aluminum slab, wherein machining the metal slab comprises producing a flat surface on the single homogenous part, and wherein the flat surface serves as at least part of a cosmetic exterior for the electronic device. 4. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the metal slab comprises a rough aluminum casting of the single homogenous part, wherein machining the metal slab comprises performing a flycut operation to produce a flat surface on the single homogenous part, wherein the flat surface serves as at least part of a cosmetic exterior for the electronic device, and wherein performing the flycut operation to produce the flat surface comprises removing material from at least one surface of the metal slab to produce the flat surface. 5. The method defined in claim 4 wherein machining the metal slab to produce the single homogenous part comprises removing material from the metal part such that the single homogenous part has a weight that is less than fifty percent of the weight of the metal slab before the machining of the metal slab, the method further comprising performing an anodizing operation to produce the single homogenous part. 6. The method defined in claim 1 wherein machining the metal slab to produce the single homogenous part comprises removing material from the metal slab such that the single homogenous part has a weight that is less than fifty percent of the weight of the metal slab before the machining of the metal slab, the method further comprising anodizing the single homogenous part. 7. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising: after machining the metal slab to produce the single homogenous part, anodizing the single homogenous part. 8. The method defined in claim 7 further comprising: after anodizing the single homogenous part, creating perforations in the single homogenous part. 9. The method defined in claim 7 wherein the single homogenous part comprises aluminum, the method further comprising: after anodizing the single homogenous part, etching anodized portions of the single homogenous part to expose aluminum portions of the single part. 10. A method of forming a single unified metal housing member, the method comprising: obtaining a single core of metal material; andeliminating surfaces of the single core of metal material to form the single unified metal housing member and to form integral features in the single unified metal housing member, the integral features including a top wall and side walls extending from the top wall, the top wall and side walls defining a cavity, one or more surfaces of the cavity including one or more integral attachment points. 11. The method as recited in claim 10 further comprising: attaching electronic components within the cavity of the single unified housing member via the one or more integral attachment points, the single unified housing member being configured to act as an exoskeleton that surrounds, supports and carries the internally attached electronic components. 12. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein eliminating the surfaces comprises machining a majority of the surfaces of the single unified housing member. 13. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein the single core of metal has a first shape, wherein eliminating the surfaces comprises performing at least one machining operation to produce the single homogenous part with a second shape that is encompassed by the first shape of the single core of metal. 14. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein eliminating the surfaces of the single core of metal material to form the single unified metal housing member and to form the integral features comprises at least one rough cutting operation and at least one detailed cutting operation. 15. A method of creating an integral housing member of a portable computer, the method comprising: obtaining an aluminum slab, the aluminum slab having a first shape that is associated with the integral housing member; andselectively removing material from the aluminum slab via one or more machining operations, the one or more machining operations including: forming the integral housing member as a single homogenous aluminum housing member having a second shape that is less than the first shape and including a top wall, integral side walls, and a cavity, the cavity being defined by the top wall and the integral side walls and the cavity providing for placement of various components of the portable computer. 16. The method defined in claim 15, wherein selectively removing material from the aluminum slab via the one or more machining operations comprises machining all of the surfaces of the integral housing member. 17. The method defined in claim 15, wherein the aluminum slab has a top and an underside, wherein selectively removing material from the aluminum slab via the one or more machining operations comprises machining the top of the aluminum slab to produce a substantially horizontal portion on the top wall, machining the underside of the aluminum slab to form the cavity, and machining a substantially vertical portion on the integral sidewalls, and wherein the height of the sidewalls is substantially equal to the height of the portable computer. 18. The method defined in claim 15, wherein, prior to selectively removing material from the aluminum slab, the aluminum slab has a first weight and wherein the one or more machining operations include one or more rough machining steps that reduce the weight of the aluminum slab to a second weight that is at most 60% of the first weight. 19. The method defined in claim 15, wherein the one or more machining operations comprise at least one machining operation selected from the group consisting of: machining integral attachment features within the cavity of the integral housing member;machining a plurality of individual openings within the top wall of the integral housing member, the openings being configured to receive individual keys of a keyboard;machining an opening within the top wall of the integral housing member, the opening being configured to receive a touchpad assembly;machining one or more openings within the integral sidewalls of the integral housing member, the openings being configured as access points between the cavity and the exterior of the portable computer;machining a cut out within the integral housing member, the cut out being configured for a hinge mechanism; andmachining ribs and flanges within the cavity of the integral housing member to enhance the structural integrity of the integral housing member. 20. The method defined in claim 15 wherein the aluminum slab has first, second, and third outer dimensions that are orthogonal to each other, wherein the third outer dimension of the aluminum slab is smaller than both the first and second outer dimensions of the metal slab, and wherein the one or more machining operations also include reducing the third outer dimension of the aluminum slab.