Apple Inc.

Dan Powell

Patrick S Wieler

Charissa Rujanavech

Jason Schwarz

Darragh Staunton

Thomas Loeper

John Sever

Roy Mahalas

Mark Lewis

Sean P Shannon

David Novak

James Fikert

This application relates to a system for disassembling a portable electronic device. The portable electronic device can include a housing that carries a display assembly including a cover glass in a front opening, a battery, and operational components. The system can include (i) a first module capable of: receiving the portable electronic device, characterizing physical attributes of the portable electronic device, separating the display assembly from the housing, and binning the housing; and (ii) a second module operably coupled to the first module and capable of: receiving the binned housing, separating the battery from the housing without damaging the battery, and isolating the separated battery in a thermal event containment compartment.

Modular system for automated portable electronic device disassembly

According to some embodiments, a method is described that can include based on dimensions of a first housing of a first portable electronic device, adjusting a position of an adjustable supporting member capable of supporting the first housing relative to a disassembly station. The method can further include using the disassembly station, separating a first display from the first housing while the first housing is supported by the adjustable support member. The method can further include receiving a second portable electronic device, where the second portable electronic device includes a second housing having dimensions that are different than the first housing. The method can further include based on the dimensions of the second housing, adjusting the position of the adjustable supporting member. The method can further include using the disassembly station, separating a second display from the second housing while the second housing is supported by the adjustable support member.

According to some embodiments, a method operable by an electronic component recovery system for detaching an electronic component adhesively bonded to a housing by way of an adhesive bond, is described. The electronic component is carried within a cavity defined by the housing of a portable electronic device. The method can include while the housing having the electronic component attached thereto is located at an electronic component detaching module, where the electronic component detaching module includes a movable arm capable of rotating about a hinge: cooling the housing and the electronic component attached thereto to a temperature that is low enough to weaken the adhesive bond, and causing the movable arm to rotate about the hinge such that a portion of the housing strikes a detachment element with sufficient force to separate the electronic component from the housing.

This application relates to a method for disassembling a portable electronic device. The method can include generating data associated with disassembling the portable electronic device based on measurements of a housing of the portable electronic device, removing a display assembly from the housing using a first module of a modular system based on the measurements of the housing, and removing an energy storage component from the housing using a second module of the modular system based on the measurements of the housing.

According to some embodiments, a method for processing an electronic component associated with a portable electronic device by a conveyor system subsequent to removing the electronic component from a housing of the portable electronic device, where the conveyor system includes a container that is capable of carrying the electronic component, is described. The method can include depositing, at a receiving station of the conveyor system, the electronic component within a cavity of the container. The method can further include while moving the container that carries the electronic component from the receiving station in a direction towards a removal station of the conveyor system: monitoring a temperature of the electronic component, and in response to determining that the temperature of the electronic component exceeds a temperature threshold range associated with a thermal event: cooling the electronic component by dissipating thermal energy associated with the thermal event.

Growing community of inventors

Bartlett, IL, United States of America

Dan Powell