AU2022224803B2

AU2022224803B2 - Waterproof enclosure

Info

Publication number: AU2022224803B2
Application number: AU2022224803A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Nicholas Dobson; Matthew James Harvey
Original assignee: OCEAN VISION ENVIRONMENTAL RES Pty Ltd
Current assignee: OCEAN VISION ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2014-11-05
Filing date: 2022-09-01
Publication date: 2023-07-13
Anticipated expiration: 2035-11-05
Also published as: AU2015252089A1; AU2022224803A1; AU2015252089B2; AU2020210166A1

Abstract

: A rugged waterproof enclosure comprises a metallic body with removable end panels and (optionally) top panels to accommodate (for example) input / output ports, indicators, vent and controls, devised to provide flexibility in application and with various waterproofing, in particular radial sealing between body and end panels, and protective features.

Description

TITLE:

Waterproof enclosure

FIELD:

[0001] The invention relates to enclosures that house and protect components and devices, in particular and without limiting the field of application, electronic circuits in marine and other harsh environments requiring rugged enclosures that protect against water, moisture and dust ingress.

[0002] As used herein, the term 'waterproof' includes 'dustproof'. The degree of waterproofing provided by the enclosure disclosed in the invention varies with the particular intended end-use application but the present embodiment is capable of providing protection at IP67 standard.

BACKGROUND:

[0003] Various commercially available enclosures are available for electronic circuits and other similar purposes, some of which offer a rating of some degree of waterproofing. An enclosure in accordance with the present invention has been devised to provide improved waterproof sealing, improved heat-sinking, rugged construction well-suited to portable deployment and more flexible mounting options, as well as various other features described herein.

[0004] The invention provides a rugged, cost effective, flexible enclosure to house various components and devices, including without limitation electronic circuits, associated devices and input/output interfaces, for application in a range of environments in which immersion in shallow water occurs or may occur, being particularly (but not exclusively) devised for portable deployment in the field.

SUMMARY:

[0005] An enclosure in accordance with this invention comprises a metallic body with fins for heat-sinking on three surfaces, slots on two opposing external surfaces for a range of mounting brackets and the like, two end panels (devised to accommodate various input/output ports, indicators or controls) and a flat mounting surface (with a separate mating panel devised to accommodate various applications and configurations discussed elsewhere herein). All of these elements are devised, by means of configuration, materials of construction and use of seals, to achieve a waterproof rating for the assembled enclosure.

[0006] The inner surface of the body at each end is smooth all round to accommodate radial sealing against the end panels (without any axial compression on end panels, thus reducing the need for end panel rigidity and multiple fixings).

[0007] The end panels are recessed to protect the input / output ports and may be fitted with handles or other attachments for convenience of handling and to act as buffers against impact.

[0008] Provision is made for internal electronic circuit components to be bolted directly against the inner surface of the body for improved heat-sinking.

[0009] The end panels are devised with elements to support internal component mounting trays as required.

[0010] In the light of the description of the invention provided, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that various modifications and variations may be made without departing from the basic inventive concepts.

[0011] The body is preferably manufactured from extruded aluminium alloy, but may be made from other metals suited to extrusion and with appropriate thermal conductivity. The length of the body may vary, as required for end-use application, without other variation to the configuration of end panels and in certain cases with the addition of simple decorative infill panels only.

[0012] The mating (top) panel and the end panels are preferably manufactured from reinforced plastic (such as, glass-filled nylon), but also may be made from other alternative materials. The top panel may be fitted with bumpers to protect the panel and any elements mounted thereupon.

[0013] The enclosure is preferably waterproof at IP67 rating for use in shallow underwater environments, but may alternatively be constructed as a purely dustproof embodiment.

[0014] The present embodiment as illustrated in the drawings is constructed to accept certain waterproof input / output connectors, vent and LED indicators. In other embodiments of the invention, other features may be incorporated into the end panels to accommodate a variety of alternative input / output ports, indicators or controls.

[0015] The present embodiment as illustrated in the drawings is shown mounted using a simple bracket engaged and tightened with locking bolts and nuts positioned in the slots in the body. The invention may be varied by inclusion of a variety of bracket configurations.

[0016] The present embodiment as illustrated in the drawings shows the top panel configured to accommodate a battery compartment. As alternative embodiments, the top panel may be constructed as a plain blank access panel or may be constructed incorporating an LCD display, a touch keypad, further input / output ports, a range of other devices or combinations thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

[0017] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described below with reference to the following drawings in which:

[0018] Figures 1 and 2 are views of the enclosure showing its overall features.

[0019] Figure 3 is a view of the body showing various internal and external features. One end panel and its handles are also illustrated.

[0020] Figure 4 shows a view of the end panels illustrating their various features.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:

[0021] Referring to the drawings generally, the preferred embodiment of the enclosure in accordance with the present invention comprises a metallic body (1) with multiple fins (2) on three surfaces for heat-sinking, two end panels (3), with four handles (4), and a top panel (5).

[0022] Referring specifically to Figure 1, the drawing also illustrates typical input / output connectors and indicators (9) mounted on an end panel (3).

[0023] Figure 2 shows other surfaces of the body (1) with its multiple fins (2), and end panel (3) devised to allow manufacture with various apertures (13) which can be incorporated in various embodiments for the required input / output connectors, LED or other forms of indicators, a vent and/or various controls. A simple mounting bracket (8) secured at each end within slots (10) on opposing external surfaces of the body (1), each engaged with (obscured) nut and tightened with locking bolt (11) and washer (12).

[0024] As an alternative embodiment, mounting brackets may be differently configured (for example, with differently shaped brackets and/or four fixing points rather than the two illustrated in the present embodiment) to achieve greater mounting rigidity, rotational freedom or other desired characteristics.

[0025] Referring to Figure 3, the body is devised with a flat mounting surface (16) intended to accommodate the top panel (5) depicted in Figure 1, and various alternative configurations thereof discussed elsewhere herein.

[0026] Figure 3 also more clearly shows the fins (2), the slots (10), as well as typical threaded internal mounting holes (17) by which internal electronic circuit components may be bolted directly against the inner surface of the body (1), close to the highest mass of fins, for improved heat-sinking. Certain of the fins (2) are thicker to accommodate the internal mounting holes (17).

[0027] Furthermore, Figure 3 also shows the smooth inner surface (14) of the body (1) extending all around its periphery (notably at either end). This smooth body inner surface (14) is devised to achieve continuous radial sealing against the end panels (3). A suitable rubber wiper seal is devised to be radially compressed between the body inner surface (14) and, referring specifically to Figure 4, the end panel mating surface (21). In this way, waterproof sealing to IP67 is accomplished without the need for any axial compression on the end panel (thereby requiring only four fixing screws per panel (3) without an excessive demand for end panel rigidity).

[0028] As an alternative embodiment, the end plate (3) may be configured with a retaining lip on surface (21) to retain the wiper seal longitudinally (against higher external pressure) so as to achieve waterproofing with a rating in excess of IP67.

[0029] Again referring specifically to Figure 3, the configuration of the body (1) is shown, including the specially shaped topside special fins (15) immediately adjacent to flat mounting surface (16). These topside special fins (15) are configured to retain decorative infill panels (not illustrated) required for other alternative embodiments.

[0030] Figure 3 also shows underside special fins (18) which are similarly specially shaped. In an alternative embodiment, the lower surface of the body (1) may be machined flat between the two underside special fins (18), including a requisite aperture, to match the configuration of the flat mounting surface (16) and so accommodate, for example, a dual battery compartment application.

[0031] Referring specifically to Figure 4, the internal configuration of both end panels includes various elements (20) to support mounting trays for internal electronic components.

[0032] Referring again to Figure 4, the end panels (3) are configured with a tapering slots (19) which guide the mounting bracket bolt (11) and nut to engage in the slots (10) when the bracket is being fitted to the enclosure.

[0033] Referring specifically to Figure 1, the preferred embodiment of the enclosure is shown as a battery compartment with a cover plate (6) latched closed with two clips (7) and mounted on top panel (5) with suitable rubber seals (obscured), as discussed elsewhere herein, to achieve IP67 rating.

[0034] As discussed elsewhere herein, as alternative embodiments, the top panel (5) may alternatively be constructed as a plain blank access panel or may be constructed incorporating an LCD display, a touch keypad, further input / output ports, other devices or combinations thereof.

[0035] Referring particularly to Figure 3, as alternative embodiments to any of those described above, the body (1) may alternatively be constructed without the flat mounting surface (16) so that the multiple fins (2) are also provided on the fourth surface.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. An enclosure comprising a metallic body, with removable end panels, to house and protect components and devices in marine and other harsh environments requiring rugged enclosures that protect against water, moisture and/or dust ingress wherein the inner surface of the said body is smooth and contoured, including rounded corners, extending all around its periphery (notably at either end of the body) and wherein neither the said body nor the said end panels require an additional channel shaped portion or a mating tongue to achieve continuous radial sealing against each of the said end panels when the said enclosure is assembled.
2. The enclosure as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said end panel is configured to mate with the inner surface of the said body and cooperate with it so that a rubber wiper seal fitted to the relevant mating surface of the said end panel configured and dimensioned such that the said wiper seal is radially compressed between the said body and the said end panel and wherein neither the said body nor the said end panel require an additional channel shaped portion or a mating tongue to achieve a dustproof, moisture-proof and/or waterproof seal when the said enclosure is assembled, without the need for any axial compression on the said end panel or any excessive demand for rigidity in the construction of the said end panel.
3. The enclosure as claimed in claim 2 wherein each said end panel is configured to also incorporate a retaining lip in conjunction with or adjacent to the said mating surface to retain the wiper seal longitudinally against higher external pressure so as to achieve waterproofing to a higher rating.
4. The enclosure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the said enclosure is configured in various alternative configurations including its length being in different proportions relative to its width and/or depth.
5. A method for achieving a dustproof, moisture-proof and/or waterproof sealed enclosure comprising: configuring an enclosure body with removable end panels, a smooth inner surface around its periphery; mating the said inner surface of the said body with an end panel at each end of the said body; configuring and dimensioning the relevant mating surface of each said end panel; and assembling each said end panel to the said body using a rubber wiper seal fitted to the said mating surface such that each said wiper seal is radially compressed between the said body and the relevant said end panel; and wherein neither the said body nor the said end panels require configuring an additional channel shaped portion or a mating tongue to achieve an effective seal to protect against dust ingress, moisture ingress and/or water ingress without the need for any axial compression on the said end panel or any excessive demand for rigidity in the construction of the said end panel up to IP67 rating.
6. The method according to claim 5 comprising: configuring each said end panel to also incorporate a retaining lip in conjunction with or adjacent to the said mating surface to retain the said wiper seal longitudinally against higher external pressure to achieve an effective seal to protect against dust ingress, moisture ingress and/or water ingress to ratings in excess of IP67.

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