Devices with tolerance-absorbing removable joints and methods of assembling same

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a device having a tolerance-absorbing removable joint and a method of assembling the same. An apparatus includes an interior body, a back cover, a front panel, and a fastener assembly. The front panel is sealingly coupled to a front surface of the rear cover. And the front panel is used for sealing the inner main body in the rear cover. The fastener assembly supports the inner body relative to the back cover and includes a first component, a second component, a retainer, and an adhesive. The first component includes a stud and a first face. The stud extends through a rear wall of the rear cover. The first face is disposed on a forward side of the rear wall. The second member is coupled to a rear side of the inner body and includes a second face opposite the first face. The retainer removably engages the stud on a rear side of the rear wall to couple the first component to the rear cover. The adhesive adheres the first face and the second face together.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus having a removable joint with tolerance absorption and a method of assembling such an apparatus. Background Art

[0002] The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

[0003] Some apparatuses include a rear cover, an inner body, a front panel, and a plurality of sealing materials that seal the front panel to the rear cover and the inner body to enclose the inner body and other components in a cavity defined by the rear cover and the front panel. For example, a display in a vehicle (e.g., an infotainment system display or a dashboard) can be such an apparatus where the front panel is a glass material that encloses electronics and a display screen mounted to the inner body within a cavity defined by the rear cover and the front panel.

[0004] In such apparatuses, the seal formed between the front panel and the rear cover and the inner body is typically an adhesive glue or tape. However, manufacturing tolerances and part tolerances can cause variations in the distance between the front panel and the rear cover and the distance between the front panel and the inner body. If the distance is too small, the glue or tape may be overcompressed. For glue, this may cause the glue to extrude and be visible or affect adhesion. For tape or conventional fasteners, compression may deform the front panel, which, in the case of a display, may result in a deformation effect visible to the user. If the distance is too large, insufficient adhesion or sealing may occur.

[0005] The present disclosure utilizes an apparatus to address these and other problems, the apparatus including a rear cover, an inner body, a front panel, and a plurality of seals that seal the front panel to the rear cover and the inner body to enclose the inner body and other components in a cavity defined by the rear cover and the front panel. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This section provides an overall overview of the present disclosure and is not a full disclosure of its entire scope or all of its features.

[0007] In one form, the present disclosure provides an apparatus that includes an internal body, a rear cover, a front panel, and a fastener assembly. The front panel is sealingly coupled to a front surface of the rear cover. The front panel encloses the internal body within the rear cover. The fastener assembly supports the internal body relative to the rear cover and includes a first component, a second component, a retainer, and an adhesive. The first component includes a stud and a first face. The stud extends through a rear wall of the rear cover. The first face is disposed on a forward side of the rear wall. The second component is coupled to a rear side of the internal body and includes a second face that is opposite the first face. The retainer removably engages the stud on a rear side of the rear wall to couple the first component to the rear cover. The adhesive adheres the first face and the second face together.

[0008] Variations of the apparatus that may be employed individually or in any combination: The front panel is sealingly coupled to a front surface of the internal body; The first face and the second face are substantially planar; At least one of the first face and the second face includes a plurality of recessed regions and protrusions; The stud includes threads, and the retainer threadedly engages the threads; The second component includes a threaded shaft that threadedly engages mating threads of the internal body; The internal body includes a threaded shaft that threadedly engages mating threads disposed on the second component; The apparatus further includes an electronic display mounted to a forward side of the internal body, wherein at least one region of the front panel is transparent or translucent and is positioned such that the electronic display can be viewed through the at least one region from an exterior of the apparatus; The first component includes a lip, and the first face is recessed rearwardly from the lip; The lip extends around a perimeter of the first face and a perimeter of the second face; The second component includes a lip that extends forwardly from a perimeter of the second face; The second component includes a lip, and the second face is recessed forwardly from the lip; The lip extends around a perimeter of the first face and a perimeter of the second face.

[0009] In another form, the present disclosure provides an apparatus that includes an internal body, an electronic display, a rear cover, a front panel, and a fastener assembly. The electronic display is mounted to a forward side of the internal body. The front panel is sealingly coupled to a front surface of the internal body and a front surface of the rear cover. The front panel encloses the internal body within a cavity defined by the rear cover and the front panel. At least one region of the front panel is transparent or translucent and is positioned such that the electronic display can be viewed through the at least one region from an exterior of the apparatus. The fastener assembly supports the internal body relative to the rear cover and includes a first component, a second component, a retainer, and an adhesive. The first component includes a stud and a first face. The stud extends through a rear wall of the rear cover. The first face is disposed on a forward side of the rear wall. The second component is coupled to a rear side of the internal body and includes a second face that faces the first face. The retainer removably engages the stud on a rear side of the rear wall to couple the first component to the rear cover. The adhesive adheres the first face and the second face together.

[0010] Variations of the apparatus that can be employed individually or in any combination: The stud includes threads, and the retainer threadably engages the threads; the first component includes a lip, and the first face is recessed rearwardly from the lip, the lip extending at least partially around a perimeter of the first face; at least one of the first face and the second face includes a plurality of recessed regions and protrusions; one of the internal body and the second component includes a threaded shaft, and the other of the internal body and the second component includes mating threads that threadably engage the threaded shaft.

[0011] In yet another additional form, the present disclosure provides a method of assembling an apparatus that includes an internal body, a rear cover, a front panel, and a fastener assembly. The method includes: positioning a first component of the fastener assembly such that a stud of the first component extends through a rear wall of the rear cover and a first face of the first component is disposed on a forward side of the rear wall of the rear cover; removably attaching a retainer to a portion of the stud disposed on a rearward side of the rear wall to couple the first component to the rear wall of the rear cover; coupling the front panel to a forward surface of the rear cover with a first seal such that the front panel encloses the internal body within a cavity defined by the rear cover and the front panel; coupling the front panel to a forward surface of the internal body with a second seal; and adhering the first face to a second face, the second face being coupled to a rear wall of the internal body, with an adhesive.

[0012] According to a variation of the method, the second face is provided on the second component of the fastener assembly, and the method further includes removably attaching the second component of the fastener assembly to the rear wall of the inner body such that the second face is disposed on the rearward side of the rear wall of the inner body.

[0013] Additional applicable fields will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] For a better understanding of the present disclosure, various forms of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] Figure 1 is a front view of a display device according to the teachings of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a cross-sectional perspective view of the display device of

[0017] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of a portion of the display device of

[0018] Figure 4 showing the fastener assembly of the display device according to the teachings of the present disclosure; Figure 3 a exploded view of the fastener assembly of

[0019] Figure 5 is Figure 3 an exploded view of the fastener assembly of

[0020] Figure 6 is Figure 3 a cross-sectional view of a portion of the fastener assembly of

[0021] Figure 7 is Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of a portion of the display device of

[0022] Figure 8 showing the sealing arrangement of the front panel of the display device according to the teachings of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a second form of display device according to the teachings of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 10is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a fourth form of a display device in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure; and

[0025] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a fifth form of a display device in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;

[0026] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

[0028] Referring Figure 1 and Figure 2 , device 10 includes a rear cover 14, an internal body 18, a front panel 22, and at least one fastener assembly 26.

[0029] Referring Figure 3 , a first seal 30 sealingly couples the rear surface 34 of the front panel 22 to the front surface 38 of the rear cover 14. The first seal 30 is a liquid-applied adhesive material, an elastomeric solid material (e.g., foam, rubber) having a thin non-flowing adhesive on the surfaces contacting the rear surface 34 and the front surface 38, or a combination thereof. A second seal 42 sealingly couples the rear surface 34 of the front panel 22 to the front surface 46 of the internal body 18. The second seal 42 is a liquid-applied adhesive material, an elastomeric solid material (e.g., foam, rubber) having a thin non-flowing adhesive on the surfaces contacting the rear surface 34 and the front surface 46, or a combination thereof.

[0030] One non-limiting example of a material used as the first seal 30 and / or the second seal 42 includes a high-strength double-sided acrylic foam tape (e.g., 3M tm VHB tm tape), polyurethane, or A / B polyurethane (e.g., Dupont tm 2810SV).

[0031] The rear cover 14 and the internal body 18 are formed of a generally rigid material (e.g., plastic, composite material, polymer, metal) and may be the same or different materials. The front panel is also formed of a generally rigid material, as described in more detail below.

[0032] The front panel 22 and the rear cover 14 cooperate to define a cavity 50. The internal body 18 is enclosed within the cavity 50 by the front panel 22 and the rear cover 14. In one form, the front panel 22 is a generally flat panel, and the front surfaces 38, 46 are similarly flat. In another form, the front panel 22 can have a curved shape that is curved in one or more directions, and the front surfaces 38, 46 are similarly curved. In other forms not specifically shown, the front panel 22 can have a non-flat shape, such as including protrusions, bends, and / or notches. In another form not specifically shown, the front panel 22 can have one or more apertures. The fastener assembly 26 removably couples the internal body 18 to the rear cover 14.

[0033] The device can also include one or more internal components disposed within the cavity 50. In the example provided, the device 10 is a display device and includes electronics 54 (schematically shown in dashed lines) mounted to the internal body 18 and a display screen 58 (e.g., an LED or LCD screen), the display screen being attached to the front panel 22 and being connected for electrical communication with the electronics 54, but other types of internal components can be used. In the example provided, the front panel 22 has a transparent or translucent region 62 such that a user can view the display screen 58 from the exterior of the device 10. In the example provided, the front panel 22 has an opaque region 64 disposed around the transparent region 62 (i.e., around the perimeter of the front panel 22 and overlapping the first seal 30 and the second seal 42). In one form, the front panel 22 is a glass material, but other materials can be used, such as, for example, a transparent polymer material. The front panel 22 can optionally be a touch screen.

[0034] Return reference Figure 2 , the rear cover 14 can optionally have one or more apertures (e.g., aperture 66) that open through the wall 70 of the rear cover 14, the one or more apertures being configured to provide power, data communication, and / or ventilation therethrough. In the example provided, the aperture 66 can provide ventilation into the cavity 50 for cooling. Although not specifically shown, the electronics 54 can be connected to one or more ports (e.g., electrical connectors) that can be accessed through one or more apertures in the rear cover 14. Although not specifically shown, one or more cables or wires can optionally extend through one or more apertures in the rear cover 14. Such wires, cables, ports, connectors, etc. can provide power to the electronics 54 and / or provide communication (e.g., electrical signals) between the electronics 54 and other devices (not shown) external to the device 10. The electronics 54 can optionally include a wireless communication module. In another form not specifically shown, the rear cover 14 can be without the aperture 66. In one such form, the cavity 50 can optionally be completely sealed to inhibit the entry of liquids and / or debris.

[0035] Reference Figure 3 , the wall 70 of the rear cover 14 defines at least one fastening aperture 74 configured to receive a portion of a fastener assembly 26 therethrough, as described in detail below.

[0036] Return reference Figure 1 , in the example provided, the device 10 is mounted to a component 12 of a vehicle. In one form, the component 12 is a dashboard and the device 10 is a display commonly referred to as an infotainment display, but the component can be any suitable component in a vehicle or non-vehicle structure (e.g., in a building, a portable device, a machine, a tool). In another form, the device 10 can be freestanding without the component 12.

[0037] In an alternative form not specifically shown, the device 10 can be without a display screen 58 ( Figure 3 ), and the front panel 22 can optionally be without a transparent region (e.g., can be opaque and / or translucent without a transparent region 62). In this form, the front panel 22 can be any suitable material (e.g., plastic, composite material, polymer, metal, glass). In one such form, the device 10 can be a control module (e.g., an ECU) of a vehicle, and the electronics 54 ( Figure 2 and Figure 3 ) can be configured to control one or more systems external to the device 10 of the vehicle.

[0038] Reference Figure 3 , the fastener assembly 26 includes a first component 110, a second component 114, a retainer 118, and an adhesive 122. The retainer 118 removably couples the first component 110 to the rear cover 14. The second component 114 is coupled to the inner body 18. The adhesive 122 couples the first component 110 to the second component 114.

[0039] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the first component 110 includes a first stud 126 (also referred to herein as a first shaft) and a first head 130. The first stud 126 is coupled to the rear side 134 of the first head 130 and extends therefrom. In the example provided, the first stud 126 and the first head 130 are integrally formed such that the first component 110 is a single piece. In one form, the first component 110 is plastic, polymer, or composite material. In another form, the first component 110 is a metallic material. The first component 110 can be formed in any suitable manner, such as casting, additive manufacturing (e.g., 3D printing), injection molding, milling.

[0040] In the provided example, the first stud 126 is a threaded stud having a thread profile disposed about a central axis of the first stud 126, but other configurations may also be used.

[0041] The first head 130 includes a first face 142 that faces away from the first stud 126 generally in the axial direction.

[0042] The first face 142 may optionally include a plurality of protrusions 146 and / or recesses. The protrusions 146 and / or recesses may define a random pattern or a predetermined pattern. Each of the protrusions 146 need not be the same and may include a variety of shapes. In one form not specifically shown, the first face 142 may be substantially flat (i.e., substantially planar) without protrusions or recesses.

[0043] The first head 130 may optionally include an outer lip 150 that extends about at least a portion of the perimeter of the first face 142 and axially extends away from the first stud 126 in the axial direction from the first face 142. In the provided example, the outer lip 150 extends about the entire perimeter of the first face 142. The outer lip 150 may optionally define one or more openings 154 that open radially outwardly through the outer lip 150. In the provided example, the outer lip 150 defines two diametrically opposed openings 154, but other configurations may be used. The outer lip 150 may extend further away from the first stud 126 in the axial direction than the protrusions 146.

[0044] The retainer 118 is configured to be removably attached to the first stud 126. In the provided example, the retainer 118 is a nut having a mating thread profile configured to threadedly couple the retainer 118 to the first stud 126, but other configurations may be used.

[0045] Reference Figure 3 , the first head 130 is larger than the fastening aperture 74, and the first stud 126 is configured to extend through the fastening aperture 74, wherein a rear side 134 of the first head 130 abuts a forward side 78 of the wall 70. Although not specifically shown, a washer may optionally be disposed between the rear side 134 and the forward side 78. The retainer 118 is coupled to the first stud 126 externally of the wall 70 and may abut a rear side 82 of the wall 70. Although not specifically shown, a washer and / or a biasing member (e.g., a Belleville spring washer, a split ring lock washer) may optionally be disposed between the rear side 82 and the retainer 118.

[0046] The second component 114 includes a second face 210. When the first component 110 is mounted to the rear cover 14 via the retainer 118, the second face 210 faces generally toward the first face 142. The second face 210 is configured to be aligned with and opposed to the first face 142 when the internal body 18 is properly positioned within the cavity 50.

[0047] Return reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 , in the example provided, the second component 114 may include a second head 214 and a second stud 218 (also referred to herein as a second shaft). The second stud 218 is coupled to and extends from a forward side 222 of the second head 214. In the example provided, the second stud 218 and the second head 214 are integrally formed such that the second component 114 is a single piece. In one form, the second component 114 is plastic, polymeric, or composite. In another form, the second component 114 is a metallic material. The second component 114 may be formed in any suitable manner, such as casting, additive manufacturing (e.g., 3D printing), injection molding, milling.

[0048] In the example provided, the second stud 218 is a threaded stud having a thread profile disposed about a central axis of the second stud 218, but other configurations may also be used.

[0049] Return reference Figure 3 , in the example provided, the internal body 18 defines a hole 86 having a thread profile that mates with the thread profile of the second stud 218. The hole 86 may optionally be formed in a boss 90 that extends rearwardly from a rear wall 92 of the internal body 18. In another form, not specifically shown, the hole 86 may be unthreaded and a separate retainer (e.g., nut) may be attached to the stud on the forward side of the rear wall 92.

[0050] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 , in the example provided, the second face 210 is a face of the second head 214 that generally faces away from the second stud 218 in the axial direction.

[0051] The second face 210 may optionally include a plurality of protrusions 226 and / or recesses. The protrusions 226 and / or recesses may define a random pattern or a predetermined pattern. Each of the protrusions 226 need not be the same and may include a variety of shapes. The protrusions 226 may or may not be mirror images or mates of the protrusions 146. In the example provided, the protrusions 146 are a plurality of geometric shapes (e.g., triangles and "Vs") while the protrusions 226 are a plurality of concentric circular peaks separated by valleys, but other configurations may be used. In one form, not specifically shown, the second face 210 may be substantially flat (i.e., substantially planar) without protrusions or recesses.

[0052] The second head 214 may optionally include an outer lip 230 that extends around at least a portion of the perimeter of the second face 210 and axially extends from the second face 210 in an axial direction away from the second stud 218 (i.e., the forward direction of the device 10). In the provided example, the outer lip 230 extends around the entire perimeter of the second face 210. The outer lip 230 extends axially forward beyond the forward side 222 of the second cover 214. In the provided example, the second stud 218 extends further forward from the forward side 222 than the outer lip 230 in the forward axial direction, but other configurations may be used. The outer lip 230 defines the outermost perimeter of the second head 214 and has an outer diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the outer lip 150.

[0053] Return reference Figure 3 , the adhesive 122 is configured to adhere the first face 142 to the second face 210. In the provided example, the adhesive 122 is a fluid-applied adhesive material. The adhesive 122 is configured to be squeezed into the recesses or spaces between the protrusions 146 ( Figure 4 ) of the first face 142 and the recesses or spaces between the protrusions 226 ( Figure 5 ) of the second face 210 such that the protrusions 146, 226 ( Figure 4 and Figure 5 ) increase the surface area on which the adhesive 122 acts.

[0054] In the provided example, when assembled in the device 10, the outer lip 230 may extend further forward than the outer lip 150. The outer lip 230 may optionally have an inner diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the boss 90 such that it can axially extend over a portion of the boss 90. The outer lip 150 and the outer lip 230 are configured to cooperate to help align the inner body 18 relative to the rear cover 14 and to direct excess adhesive 122 to be extruded forwardly between the outer lips 150, 230.

[0055] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 , the adhesive 122 is a type of adhesive that is configured to form a bond between the first face 142 and the second face 210 when the first face 142 and the second face 210 are spaced apart by a predetermined distance D1, while allowing the first face 142 and the second face 210 to be further pressed together while maintaining the bond at a distance smaller than D1. The distance D1 is greater than the distance D2, where the distance D2 is the distance between the front surfaces 38, 46. The distance D1 is also greater than the distance D3, where the distance D3 is the distance between the front surface 38 and the rear surface 34.

[0056] Even with large tolerance stack-ups of the components involved (e.g., front panel 22, first seal 30, second seal 42, rear cover 14, internal body 18, first component 110, second component 114), the distance D1 allows for proper positioning of the front panel 22. In other words, the connection provided by the adhesive 122 between the first surface 142 and the second surface 210 can compensate for the tolerance stack-up between the components. This can reduce strain on the front panel 22, which, in the case where the front panel 22 is a glass panel, can reduce deformations and / or non-uniformities that might otherwise be caused by strain on the glass.

[0057] Some non-limiting examples of such adhesive materials that can be used for the adhesive 122 include polyurethanes or A / B polyurethanes (e.g., Dupont tm 2810SV). In one form, the adhesive 122 can be a fluid-applied adhesive that has a viscosity sufficient to remain in place when the first surface 142 and the second surface 210 are vertically oriented, and that can cure in place to the first surface 142 and the second surface 210 when the first surface 142 and the second surface 210 are spaced apart by the distance D1.

[0058] The first seal 30 is configured to adhere to the front surface 38 and the rear surface 34 of the front panel 22 and form a seal between the front surface and the rear surface, while the front surface 38 and the rear surface 34 are spaced apart by a distance D3. The second seal 42 is configured to adhere to the front surface 46 and the rear surface 34 of the front panel 22 and form a seal between the front surface and the rear surface, while the front surface 46 and the rear surface 34 are spaced apart by a distance D4. Due to manufacturing tolerances, the distances D3 and D4 can be equal or can be different.

[0059] Reference Figure 8 shows another form of the fastener assembly 26-1. The fastener assembly 26-1 can be similar to the fastener assembly 26 ( Figures 2 to 6 ), unless otherwise shown and described herein. Thus, like features are shown with like reference numerals plus the suffix “-1” and only the differences are described in detail herein. In this form, the second component 114-1 can be integrally formed with the internal body 18. In the example provided, the second surface 210-1 is disposed on the boss 90. In this form, the boss 90 can be without the hole 86 ( Figure 3 ). In another form not specifically shown, the internal body 18 can be without the boss 90, and the second surface 210-1 can be formed directly on the rear wall 92 of the internal body 18.

[0060] Reference Figure 9 shows another form of the fastener assembly 26-2. The fastener assembly 26-2 can be similar to the fastener assembly 26 ( Figures 2 to 6 ) or the fastener 26-1 (Figure 8 ) unless otherwise shown and described herein. Accordingly, like features are shown with like reference numerals with the suffix “-2” and only the differences are described in detail herein. In this form, the first stud 126-2 is not threaded. Instead, the first stud 126-2 includes a groove 910 that extends circumferentially around the first stud 126-2 at a location along the first stud 126-2 that is external to the wall 70 when the first head 130-2 abuts the forward side 78 of the wall 70. The retainer 118-2 of this form is a snap ring (e.g., a C-ring) that is removably received in the groove 910 and extends radially outward therefrom. The retainer 118-2 may extend radially outward from the fastening aperture 74. A washer 914 may optionally be disposed between the rear side 82 and the retainer 118-2. The washer 914 may also optionally be configured to axially bias the retainer 118-2 away from the rear side 82, such as, for example, a Belleville spring washer.

[0061] Reference Figure 10 , there is shown another form of fastener assembly 26-3. The fastener assembly 26-3 may be similar to the fastener assembly 26( Figures 2 to 6 ) or the fastener 26-1( Figure 8 ) unless otherwise shown and described herein. Accordingly, like features are shown with like reference numerals with the suffix “-3” and only the differences are described in detail herein. In this form, the first stud 126-3 is not threaded. Instead, the first stud 126-3 includes a hole 1010 that extends radially through the first stud 126-3 at a location along the first stud 126-3 that is external to the wall 70 when the first head 130-3 abuts the forward side 78 of the wall 70. The retainer 118-3 of this form is a removable pin (e.g., a cotter pin) that is received in the hole 1010 and extends radially outward therefrom. The retainer 118-3 may extend radially outward from the fastening aperture 74. A washer 1014 may optionally be disposed between the rear side 82 and the retainer 118-3. The washer 1014 may also optionally be configured to axially bias the retainer 118-3 away from the rear side 82, such as, for example, a Belleville spring washer.

[0062] Reference Figure 11 , there is shown another form of fastener assembly 26-4. The fastener assembly 26-4 may be similar to the fastener assembly 26( Figures 2 to 6 ) or the fastener 26-1( Figure 8), unless otherwise shown and described herein. Accordingly, like features are shown with like reference numerals with a suffix "-4" and only the differences are described in detail herein. In this form, the first stud 126-4 is not threaded. Instead, the retainer 118-4 is integrally formed with the first stud 126-4. The first stud 126-4 includes a plurality of resilient tines 1110, and the retainer includes corresponding lips 1114 that extend radially outward from each tine 1110. The tines 1110 can be elastically deflected radially inwardly such that the lips 1114 can be received through the fastening aperture 74. Once released, the tines 1110 return to their radially outward position (shown) such that when the first head 130 abuts the forward side 78 of the wall 70, the lips 1114 extend radially outwardly from the fastening aperture 74 at a position external to the wall 70. The tines 1110 can optionally include inclined surfaces 1118 to facilitate insertion and deflection of the tines 1110. Although not specifically shown, a washer can optionally be disposed between the lips 1114 and the wall 70. The washer can also optionally be configured to axially bias the retainer 118-4 away from the rear side 82, such as, for example, a Belleville spring washer.

[0063] It should be understood that Figures 9 to 11 the retainer configuration shown in Figures 2 to 6 can be used with the second component 114 of Figure 8 or the second component 114-1 of

[0064] Although only one fastener assembly 26 is shown in Figure 2 coupling the inner body 18 to the back cover 14, additional instances of the fastener assembly 26 can be used to couple the inner body 18 to the back cover 14 at more than one location.

[0065] Returning to Figure 3 , the device 10 can be assembled by fixing the first component 110 to the back cover 14 and the second component 114 to the inner body 18 (if not integral therewith). Then the adhesive 122 is applied to one or both of the first face 142 and the second face 210. Then the inner body 18 can be inserted into the cavity 50 such that the adhesive 122 is between the first face 142 and the second face 210. The first seal 30 and the second seal 42 can be applied to the back cover 14 and the inner body 18 or the front panel 22 before or after inserting the inner body 18 into the cavity 50. Then the front panel 22 is pressed rearwardly such that the first seal 30 and the second seal 42 are pressed between the front panel 22 and the inner body 18 and the back cover 14 to form a seal therebetween. When the front panel 22 is pressed rearwardly, the adhesive 122 is compressed, thereby absorbing the tolerance of the distance (e.g., distance D2) between the front surfaces 38, 46 and the rear surface 34.

[0066] The fastener assembly 26 also allows for easy disassembly of the back cover 14 from the internal body 18 by removing the retainer 118 and the first seal 30 without the need to remove the second seal 42. In a configuration where the second component 114 is removable from the internal body 18, the first component 110 and the second component 114 can then be easily replaced, and the device 10 can be reassembled without removing the second seal 42.

[0067] In other words, a method of assembling the device 10 includes the steps of: positioning the first component 110 of the fastener assembly 26 such that the first stud 126 extends through the wall 70 of the back cover 14, and the first face 142 is disposed on the forward side of the wall 70. The method includes the steps of: removably attaching the retainer 118 to a portion of the first stud 126 disposed on the rearward side of the wall 70 to couple the first component 110 to the wall 70 of the back cover 14. The method includes the steps of: coupling the front panel 22 to the front surface 38 with the first seal 30 such that the front panel 22 encloses the internal body 18 within the cavity 50. The method further includes the steps of: coupling the front panel 22 to the front surface 46 with the second seal 42 and coupling the first face 142 to the second face 210 with the adhesive 122. The method may further include removably attaching the second component 114 to the rear wall 92 such that the second face 210 is disposed on the rearward side of the rear wall 92.

[0068] Accordingly, the teachings of the present disclosure provide the ability to open the device for repair when needed, where traditional devices and methods either cannot open the device or make it difficult to rework or repair and reassemble the device.

[0069] Unless expressly indicated otherwise herein, all numerical values indicating mechanical / thermal properties, percentage compositions, dimensions, and / or tolerances or other characteristics should be understood to be modified by the word "about" or "approximately" when describing the scope of the present disclosure. Such modification is desirable for various reasons, including: industrial practice; material, manufacturing, and assembly tolerances; and testing capabilities.

[0070] As used herein, the phrase "at least one of A, B, and C" should be construed to represent the logical (A or B or C) using non-exclusive logic "or", and should not be construed to mean "at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C".

[0071] In the present application, the terms "controller" and / or "module" may refer to, be part of, or include the following: application specific integrated circuit (ASIC); digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital discrete circuits; digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital integrated circuits; combinational logic circuits; field programmable gate arrays (FPGA); processor circuits that execute code (shared, dedicated, or group); memory circuits that store code executed by the processor circuits (shared, dedicated, or group); other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality (e.g., operational amplifier circuit integrator as part of a heat flux data module); or a combination of some or all of the above, such as in a system-on-chip.

[0072] The term memory is a subset of the term computer-readable medium. As used herein, the term computer-readable medium does not cover transitory electrical or electromagnetic signals propagated through a medium (such as on a carrier wave); thus, the term computer-readable medium can be considered tangible and non-transitory. Non-limiting examples of non-transitory tangible computer-readable media are non-volatile memory circuits (such as flash memory circuits, erasable programmable read-only memory circuits, or mask read-only circuits), volatile memory circuits (such as static random access memory circuits or dynamic random access memory circuits), magnetic storage media (such as analog or digital magnetic tape or hard disk drives), and optical storage media (such as CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs).

[0073] The devices and methods described in the present application can be implemented partially or fully by a special-purpose computer created by configuring a general-purpose computer to perform one or more specific functions embodied in a computer program. Functional blocks, flowchart components, and other elements described above serve as software specifications that can be translated into a computer program by routine work of a technician or programmer.

[0074] The description of the present disclosure is merely exemplary in nature, and thus, variations that do not depart from the essence of the present disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure. Such variations should not be regarded as departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0075] According to the present invention, there is provided a device having: an inner body; an electronic display mounted to a forward side of the inner body; a rear cover; a front panel sealingly coupled to a front surface of the inner body and a front surface of the rear cover, the front panel enclosing the inner body within a cavity defined by the rear cover and the front panel, wherein at least one region of the front panel is transparent or translucent, and wherein the region is positioned such that the electronic display can be viewed from outside the device through the region; and a fastener assembly that supports the inner body relative to the rear cover, the fastener assembly including: a first component including a stud and a first face, the stud extending through a rear wall of the rear cover, the first face being disposed on a forward side of the rear wall; a second component coupled to a rear side of the inner body and including a second face opposite the first face; a retainer removably engaging the stud on a rear side of the rear wall to couple the first component to the rear cover; and an adhesive that adheres the first face and the second face together.

[0076] According to an embodiment, the stud includes threads, and the retainer threadably engages the threads.

[0077] According to an embodiment, the first component includes a lip, and the first face is recessed rearwardly from the lip, the lip at least partially surrounding a perimeter of the first face.

[0078] According to an embodiment, at least one of the first face and the second face includes a plurality of recessed regions and protrusions.

[0079] According to an embodiment, one of the inner body and the second component includes a threaded shaft, and the other of the inner body and the second component includes mating threads that threadably engage the threaded shaft.

Claims

1. A device comprising: Internal subject; Back cover; a front panel sealingly coupled to a front surface of the rear cover, the front panel enclosing the inner body within the rear cover; as well as a fastener assembly supporting the inner body relative to the rear cover, the fastener assembly comprising: a first component including a stud extending through a rear wall of the rear cover and a first face disposed on a forward side of the rear wall; a second component coupled to a rear side of the inner body and including a second face opposite the first face; a retainer that removably engages the stud on a rear side of the rear wall to couple the first component to the rear cover; and An adhesive adheres the first side and the second side together.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the front panel is sealingly coupled to the front surface of the inner body.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the first face and the second face are substantially planar.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first face and the second face comprises a plurality of recessed areas and protrusions.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the stud includes threads and the retainer threadingly engages the threads.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the second component comprises a threaded shaft threadably engaged with mating threads of the inner body.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the inner body includes a threaded shaft that threadably engages mating threads provided on the second component.

8. The device of claim 1 further comprising an electronic display mounted to a forward-facing side of the inner body, wherein at least one area of ​​the front panel is transparent or translucent, wherein the area is positioned so that the electronic display can be viewed through the area from outside the device.

9. The device of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first component includes a lip, the first face being recessed rearwardly from the lip.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the lip extends around a perimeter of the first face and a perimeter of the second face.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the second component includes a lip extending forwardly from a periphery of the second face.

12. The device of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second component includes a lip, the second face being concave forwardly from the lip.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the lip extends around a perimeter of the first face and a perimeter of the second face.

14. A method of assembling a device, the device comprising an inner body, a rear cover, a front panel, and a fastener assembly, the method comprising: positioning a first component of the fastener assembly such that a stud of the first component extends through a rear wall of the rear cover and a first face of the first component is disposed on a forward-facing side of the rear wall of the rear cover; removably attaching a retainer to a portion of the stud disposed on a rearward side of the rear wall to couple the first component to the rear wall of the rear cover; coupling a front panel to a forward-facing surface of the rear cover with a first seal so that the front panel encloses the inner body within a cavity defined by the rear cover and the front panel; coupling the front panel to the forward facing surface of the inner body with a second seal; as well as The first face is coupled to a second face with an adhesive, and the second face is coupled to a rear wall of the inner body.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the second face is disposed on a second component of the fastener assembly, and the method further comprises removably attaching the second component of the fastener assembly to the rear wall of the inner body such that the second face is disposed on a rearward side of the rear wall of the inner body.

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