Separable electronics device using a modular connection device

Inventors: Prakash Kurma Raju (Bangalore, IN); Navneet Singh (Bangalore, IN); Amruta Ranade (Bangalore, IN); Ajmeer Kaja (Bangalore, IN); Jeff Ku (Taipei, TW)

Assignee: Intel Corporation

G06F1/1601 G06F1/1637 G06F1/1656 G06F1/1675 H04M1/0254 H04M1/0266

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12687884
App. No.: 17/896,831
Granted: Jul 21, 2026
Kind: B2

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Abstract

Apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture for separable electronic devices are disclosed. A separable electronics device includes a first panel having a first zipper component, the first panel including a front housing, display cover glass, a display panel, display electronics, and a first panel-panel interface. The separable electronics device further includes a second panel having a second zipper component, the second panel including a back housing, and a second panel-panel interface, wherein the first panel and the second panel are physically coupled by a mechanical connection of the first zipper component and the second zipper component.

Claims (31)

1 . A separable electronics device comprising;

a first panel having a first zipper component, the first panel including a front housing, display cover glass, a display panel, display electronics, and a first panel-panel interface, wherein the first zipper component is located along a first perimeter of the first panel; and

a second panel having a second zipper component, the second panel including a back housing, and a second panel-panel interface, wherein the second zipper component is located along a second perimeter of the second panel, and wherein the first panel and the second panel are physically coupled by a mechanical connection of the first zipper component and the second zipper component between the first perimeter and the second perimeter.

2 . The separable electronics device of claim 1 , wherein the second panel further includes an antenna, an image capture device, and a base-panel interface.

3 . The separable electronics device of claim 2 , wherein the base-panel interface enables electronic and mechanical communications between a base panel and the second panel.

4 . The separable electronics device of claim 1 , wherein the first zipper component and the second zipper component form a waterproof seal around the separable electronics device when mechanically connected.

5 . The separable electronics device of claim 1 , wherein the separable electronics device is a computer display.

6 . The separable electronics device of claim 1 , wherein the first panel-panel interface and the second panel-panel interface, when electrically coupled, enable electronic communications between the first panel and the second panel.

7 . The separable electronics device of claim 1 , wherein the second panel further includes a base computer component including at least one of a memory, a storage device, a hardware processor, or a graphics processing unit.

8 . The separable electronics device of claim 7 , wherein the base computer component is in communication with a base-panel interface of the second panel.

9 . The separable electronics device of claim 1 , wherein the second panel further includes a first base-panel interface, and further including a base panel including:

a base computer component including at least one of a memory, a storage device, a hardware processor or a graphics processing unit; and

a second base-panel interface to enable electronic communications between the base computer component and the second panel, the base panel to be mechanically coupled to the first and second panels in a clamshell orientation.

10 . The separable electronics device of claim 1 , wherein the first zipper component is located along an entire length of the first perimeter of the first panel, and the second zipper component is located along an entire length of the second perimeter of the second panel.

11 . The separable electronics device of claim 1 , wherein the first zipper component and the second zipper component run along the first perimeter and the second perimeter in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the first panel and the second panel.

12 . A replaceable front display panel for a computing device, the replaceable front display panel comprising:

a front housing;

display cover glass;

a display panel;

display electronics; and

a first zipper component, the first zipper component located along a first perimeter of the replaceable front display panel to be mechanically connected to a second zipper component located along a second perimeter of a rear display panel to physically couple the replaceable front display panel to the rear display panel between the first perimeter and the second perimeter.

13 . The replaceable front display panel of claim 12 , further including a panel-panel interface for enabling electronic communications between the replaceable front display panel and the rear display panel.

14 . The replaceable front display panel of claim 12 , wherein the first zipper component and the second zipper component form a waterproof seal when mechanically connected.

15 . The replaceable front display panel of claim 12 , wherein a base computer component is included in a base panel, the base panel connectable to at least one of the replaceable front display panel and the rear display panel via a hinge.

16 . A replaceable rear display panel for a computer display, the replaceable rear display panel comprising:

a back housing; and

a first zipper component, the first zipper component located along a first perimeter of the replaceable rear display panel to be mechanically connected to a second zipper component located along a second perimeter of a front display panel to physically couple the replaceable rear display panel to the front display panel between the first perimeter and the second perimeter.

17 . The replaceable rear display panel of claim 16 , further including a panel-panel interface to enable electronic communications between the front display panel and the replaceable rear display panel.

18 . The replaceable rear display panel of claim 16 , further including a base-panel interface to enable electronic and mechanical communication between a base panel and the replaceable rear display panel.

19 . The replaceable rear display panel of claim 16 , wherein the first zipper component and the second zipper component form a waterproof seal when mechanically connected.

20 . The replaceable rear display panel of claim 16 , further including a base computer component in communication with a base-panel interface on the replaceable rear display panel.