EP2517083A1

EP2517083A1 - Casing for electronic devices provided with a touchscreen, in particular tablet pcs

Info

Publication number: EP2517083A1
Application number: EP11818941A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dirk MÜLLER-CONRADY; Jack Erich MÜLLER
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-12-13
Filing date: 2011-12-13
Publication date: 2012-10-31
Also published as: WO2012089203A1; DE212011100030U1

Abstract

In order to solve the problem of the touchscreen of electronic devices, in particular tablet PCs, and in particular in this case slate PCs, becoming dirty, there is proposed a casing (10) which comprises a receptacle (12) for an electronic device (16) provided with a touchscreen (14) and a cover (18) for the touchscreen (14) of an electronic device (16) introduced into the receptacle (12), wherein the cover (18) is provided with motorized means (30) for automatically cleaning the touchscreen of an electronic device (16) introduced into the receptacle (12).

Description

REPLACEMENT FOR TOUCHSCREEN PROVIDED

ELECTRONIC DEVICES, ESPECIALLY TABLET-PCS

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a jacket for provided with touch screen

electronic devices, in particular tablet PCs, such as slate PCs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For some years, increasingly equipped with a touch screen electronic devices, especially tablet PCs, which are controlled almost exclusively via a touch-sensitive screen.

While a few years ago, for certain notebooks, a touchscreen merely served as an additional input device next to a keyboard that could be swiveled behind the screen in some devices, by means of which the notebook would then be used as an input device, for example. could be used in the manner of a writing pad for recording handwritten notes, lately put more and more so-called

Tablet or slate PCs that do not have a mechanical keyboard and are operated virtually entirely via the touch screen, depending on the

Application then e.g. a virtual keyboard can be displayed. These slate PCs usually have no or very few real switches, so that the housing and touchscreen can form a design extremely appealing formable unit.

The optically appealing devices will be happy for business

Presentations, but also used in the free time eg for reading a book or watching movies. However, since the operation is performed almost exclusively by the touch screen, which also serves as a screen for reproducing the respective visual information, and since the human skin is constantly producing a protective greasy film, there is a problem with all known devices that fingerprints contaminate the screen and - ever by angle - that Make the device look very ugly. It can even happen that the fingerprints show the readability of the touch screen

Significantly affect information. In addition, not only fat particles, but also viruses and bacteria can be transmitted with the touch of the touch screen.

This known since the introduction of touchscreens problems is sought in different ways to meet. The simplest and most common way of combating fingerprints is to use the touchscreen with one

Wipe cleansing cloth. However, this solution is perceived by many users as annoying, especially when a corresponding electronic device for presentation to a customer should be used and was forgotten to perform the cleaning before the visit, so that instead of the start of the presentation, first the screen must be cleaned.

To cope with this problem, sheaths were also in shape

Protective covers made of suitable materials, e.g.

Microfibre cloths, manufactured and dimensioned so that when inserting or removing the device in or out of the protective cover, a portion of the protective cover over the touch screen in a substantially linear movement. A similar solution is proposed in DE 10 2005 025 572 A1, which is a cover for a screen of a permanently installed

Automobile navigation system concerns. The cover is provided with a cloth or a brush and is used to cover or release the motor

Screen moves over this, being in a one-dimensional

Linear motion brushes the screen.

However, it has been shown that such one-dimensional, linear movements on the touch screen regularly do not lead to a noticeable cleaning effect. Mostly fingerprints are only smeared, so that stripes form on the touch screen, which in unsightliness and annoyance are in no way inferior to the actual fingerprints. Furthermore, it has also been attempted to overcome the problem by coating the touchscreen with protective films which are said to have a so-called "lotus effect" (self-cleaning). Even with these films so far only unsatisfactory results could be achieved.

DE 10 2006 003 632 A1 proposes a spectacle case in which various devices for the automatic cleaning of a pair of spectacles inserted in the case are being considered, including a device with two circularly rotating discs and a device with a pure one

one-dimensional translational movement, without, however, concrete executable

Giving lessons to the technical implementation of the proposed devices. However, it is known that purely circular movements as well as pure

Linear movements do not lead to satisfactory cleaning results.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The invention has for its object to solve the problem of contamination of the touch screen of electronic devices, especially tablet PCs and in particular slate PCs.

To solve the problem, the invention proposes a jacket with the features of claim 1. The subclaims relate to advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention.

The invention is based on the idea of providing a motorized means for automatic cleaning of the touch screen of an electronic device inserted in the casing in the case of a protective casing, which is anyway desired by most users of the appliances, which are often of very high quality and therefore expensive. In this case, the motorized means to a cleaning plate for

Holding and pressing a cleaning element against the touch screen of an introduced into a corresponding receptacle of the sheath electronic device, wherein the cleaning plate by means of a motor in a

two-dimensional, not purely circular movement is displaceable, in a too the surface of the touch screen of the inserted into the recording

electronic device runs parallel plane.

Further details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the

following purely exemplary and non-limiting description of embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 shows a highly schematic representation of various elements of a first exemplary embodiment of a casing according to the invention together with a slate PC in an exploded view. Fig. 2 shows the sheath of FIG. 1 with inserted into the sheath slate PC. shows highly schematic different elements of a second embodiment of a casing according to the invention together with a slate PC in an exploded view.

Fig. 4 shows very schematically different elements of a third

Embodiment of a casing according to the invention in an exploded view.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a casing according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In Fig. 1, the essential elements of an inventive

Sheath for touch-sensitive electronic devices, in particular a Slate PC, shown in a highly schematic exploded view, wherein It should be noted that with appropriate dimensioning of the sheath this can also be designed for other electronic devices with touch screen, eg for smartphones and so-called handheld PCs, but also for

Navigation systems.

The jacket comprises a receptacle 12 for a provided with a touch screen 14 electronic device 16, here a slate PC, and a cover 18 for the touch screen 14 of the electronic device 16 and is adapted in size and shape to the male electronic device.

The cover is adapted to receive motorized means for automatic cleaning of the touch screen 14, which in this embodiment comprises an electric motor 20, an outer tooth drive gear 22 and a Wankel piston type element 24 having a recess 26 and a cleaning plate. The recess 26 has a

Internal toothing, in which the drive gear 22 engages. In FIG. 1, a guide track for the element 24 is also schematically indicated at 28.

It should be noted that in this embodiment, the motorized means including the motor are integrated in the cover 18, which allows a particularly compact design of the receptacle 12. However, it is also conceivable, e.g. to arrange the motor and / or its power supply, usually batteries or accumulators, in the receptacle and to drive the cleaning plate or a similar cleaning exporting element via a flexible shaft.

FIG. 2 shows the sheath in its entirety designated 10 in the intended mounting state with incorporated electronic device 16. The electronic device 16 is preferably a tablet PC, in particular a slate PC, in which the touch screen 14 in fact the complete upper surface of the PC forms without a bordering edge or the like. clearly project from this surface. Such devices are perceived by most users as visually appealing, but also have the advantage that, in the absence of a corresponding protruding edge also can not collect any dust and dirt residues in the corners of any edge. At the same time, a device designed in this way allows the touchscreen to be completely cleaned in a particularly simple manner, for which purpose the cleaning plate 30 together with a cleaning element not shown here serves in this embodiment.

The cleaning plate 30 forms in this embodiment, the screen to be cleaned facing side of the wankelkolbenartigen element and is designed to hold a cleaning element, not shown here. The cleaning element may preferably be a cleaning fleece, in particular a microfiber cloth, which is fastened to the cleaning plate 30 in a suitable and appropriate manner for the respective application. For example, if a particularly thin embodiment of the sheath is desired, be provided to coat the cleaning plate directly with suitable fibers, so that the cleaning element is virtually an integral part of the cleaning plate. In most applications, however, it is useful to make the cleaning element exchangeable and e.g. to be attached to the cleaning plate via a removable adhesive adhesive. Also, the cleaning element similar to a fitted sheet have an elastic edge which is slipped around the edge of the cleaning plate.

The recording for the electronic device can be designed in a variety of ways. In a particularly light, thin and also

cost-effective variant, the recording of a fabric cover is formed with a slot for inserting the electronic device and a

corresponding cutout recess for the touch screen is provided. If the shell has sufficient elasticity, the slot can also be dispensed with and the electronic device can be introduced into the receptacle in such a way that it is introduced into the receptacle via the recess for the touchscreen. At such a receptacle then the cover is suitably secured by a flexible tab. In particular, the cover can be made integral with the receptacle from a suitably cut and processed fabric. If the electronic device is not needed, the cover can be easily turned on the touch screen, then what, how will be described in detail below, automatically

Cleaning process can be started.

In another embodiment, the receptacle is formed of a stiffer and thicker material than fabric, in particular neoprene, rubber or hard silicone. Although a receptacle formed in this way has a thicker wall thickness than a receptacle made of a thin material, it can better protect an electronic device introduced into the receptacle from shocks and impacts. Also in this variant is the cover

expediently attached to the receptacle via a flexible tab and in particular may be formed integrally with the receptacle.

In the variant shown in Figures 1 and 2, the receptacle is formed by a rigid housing comprising a fixed frame and e.g. out

Aluminum, carbon, glass fiber reinforced plastic, acrylic glass or other suitable plastic can be made. Such a "hard shell holder" can best protect the electronic device from damage. The cover may in turn be made of the same material as the receptacle. In this embodiment, the receptacle 12 with the cover 18 expediently via a hinge joint, preferably a

Connected hinge joint hinge, which may be configured so that it allows different locking positions of cover and recording, in particular a completely open position in which the recording and thus the touch screen of an introduced into the recording electronic device is virtually completely released,

a closed position in which the cover covers the touch screen of an electronic device incorporated in the receptacle and the cleaning plate 28 is provided with a cleaning element such as a cleaning element; a microfiber cloth against the touch screen is applied or, if no cleaning plate, but another cleaning element is provided selbiges with the touch screen in

Can come contact

and a presentation position in which the cover is used to support the recording with the electronic device when you park eg on a table, so that the touch screen of sitting at the table people well can be viewed. Such a presentation position can also be provided in the embodiments in which the cover and receptacle are connected to each other via a flexible tab, for example, characterized in that on the receptacle or the cover by means of an additional flexible tab, a support strip is provided, extending between cover and position recording.

In the three embodiments described above, the cover is practically 360 ° pivotable about the receptacle, so that the cover rests in the open state against the electronic device facing away from the back of the recording. However, there are also two-part embodiments possible in which the cover and the receptacle are not pivotally, but releasably connected to each other, such as a box with a lid, and embodiments in which the cover is pivotable by significantly less than 360 °, for example in sheaths for so-called "digital

Picture frames ", which should never be laid flat on a table, but always placed and in which the cover in the unfolded state then forms a support for the receptacle with a mounted digital picture frame Cover and receptacle may be provided in the closed position to prevent the sheath from unintentionally opening during transport In the simplest case such closure means may be formed by a Velcro tape, a push-button or magnetic button bottle or the like.

To perform a cleaning operation, the cleaning plate 30 in the closed state of the sheath in a to the surface of the

Touchscreens 14 of an inserted into the receptacle 12 electronic device 16 parallel plane extending movement can be offset. For this purpose, in the embodiment shown, the electric motor 20 drives via a drive shaft

Drive gear 22, in the outer toothing of which engages the recess 26 in the manner of a Wankelkolbens formed element 24 provided internal toothing. Together with the guideway 28, this configuration then causes the cleaning plate 30 upon rotation of the Drive gear a Trochoidenbewegung in one to the surface of the

Touchscreens running parallel plane, an imaginary point on the

Cleaning plate so describes a Trochoidenbahn. It has been found that such or similar, not merely linear or circular motion leads to the best cleaning results.

It has further been shown that a cleaning process only about 10 to 30

Takes seconds to achieve extremely satisfactory cleaning results. A cleaning process, after closing the shroud, that is bringing the cover in the so-called covering the touch screen.

closed position, manually started and stopped. However, are advantageous means for automatically starting and stopping the movement of the

Cleaning plate or other cleaning element provided, for example, a sensor for detecting the closed position and start the cleaning process and a timer for completing the cleaning process after. 20 seconds. The duration of the cleaning process can be made adjustable and it can be provided that in addition to the automatic triggering of a cleaning process, such a can also be started manually at any time.

It has also been found that to achieve a satisfactory

Cleaning result no high forces are necessary. In the embodiment shown, it is sufficient if the cleaning plate alone by the

Gravity is pressed against the touchscreen to be cleaned. Advantageously, means for adjusting, namely in particular limiting the pressure with which the cleaning plate or another cleaning element against the

Touchscreen of an introduced into the recording electronic device is pressed, be provided, for example in the form of a stopper, which prevents when closing the sheath that the cleaning plate is pressed too strongly against the touch screen. These means may be designed to be readjustable, for example to compensate for tolerances in the thickness of any cleaning fleece and to increase or reduce the contact pressure depending on the cleaning results. As mentioned above, the cleaning agents are usually from a

Electric motor driven. To the energy supply batteries or accumulators can be provided. But it is also possible to provide the motor via an inserted into the recording electronic device by means in the sheath, preferably in the receptacle means for electrically coupling the motor with a suitable output of the electronic device, e.g. a USB port, are provided. Such coupling means may also serve to charge accumulators of the electric motor. If accumulators are provided, the sheath may also be provided with solar cells for charging the accumulators. It may also be appropriate as an accessory to the

Enclosure to offer charging cable with two outputs, which allow simultaneously loaded in the recording electronic device and the accumulators of the electric motor. Finally, it can be provided to use the batteries of the electric motor as an emergency power supply for the electronic device.

Instead of the drive described in connection with Figures 1 and 2, which causes the cleaning plate to perform a trochoidal movement, other drives, e.g. electronically controlled XY drives and drives in which the cleaning plate is mounted in a slotted guide with e.g. is guided substantially rectangular guideway, are provided, which the

Cleaning plate or other suitable cleaning element make other suitable movements on the touch screen to be cleaned. Next so-called. Oscillating drives can be used, which put the cleaning plate in a random or predetermined circumferential swinging motion.

Straight drives with random movements are particularly preferred. In such cases, then cleaning plates can be used, the shape of which corresponds substantially to the shape of each to be cleaned touch screen. Two corresponding variants are described below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

In Fig. 3 are an exploded view of essential parts of a second

Embodiment of the invention shown, for reasons of the

Clarity for parts whose function in connection with the Fig. 1 and 2, the same reference numerals as in Figs. 1 and 2 have been used.

The sheath in turn comprises a receptacle 12 for one with a

Touchscreen 14 provided slate PC 16, and a cover 18 for the

Touchscreen 14 of the PC 16 and is adapted in size and shape to the male electronic device.

In the cover 18, an electric motor 20 is provided which moves a drive shaft 32 during operation. The shaft 32 is mounted in a bearing 34 and opens into a driver 36 for an eccentric 38, wherein the driver emerges from a covering 18 with the motor 20 final cover plate 40.

The eccentric 38 cooperates with an annular eccentric receptacle 42 on the side of the cleaning plate 30 facing away from the touch screen 14 and, during operation, moves the cleaning plate 30 guided from the outer edge of the cover 18, between the cleaning plate 30 and a cover plate to be fastened to the cleaning plate 44 is encapsulated, which, like the cover plate 40 has a passage opening for the driver 36.

In Fig. 4 are an exploded view of essential parts of a third

Embodiment of the invention shown, for reasons of the

Clarity for parts that correspond in function to the parts described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 3, the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1 to 3 were used.

The sheath in turn comprises a receptacle 12 for a not shown here electronic device with touch screen and is adapted in size and shape to the male electronic device.

In the cover 18, a mounted on a cover plate 40 electric motor 20 is provided which rotates a drive pulley 48 in operation via a gear 46. The drive pulley 48 has an eccentrically arranged receptacle 50 for a mounted on the cleaning plate 30 driver 52 so that through the Motor 20 in operation guided by the outer edge of the cover 18

Cleaning plate 30 can be moved over the eccentric coupling.

In Fig. 5, a fourth embodiment of the invention is shown, wherein for reasons of clarity for parts which correspond in function to the parts described in connection with Figs. 1 to 4, the same

Reference numerals have been used as in Figs. 1 to 4.

The sheath 10 in this embodiment comprises a first receptacle 12 and a second receptacle 54 for an electronic device, not shown here, wherein the first receptacle 12 in, the second receptacle 54 are provided on an upper side of a housing 56, which at the same time a cover for a in the

Recording 12 incorporated device according to the invention forms and accommodates motor means for automatically cleaning the touch screen of a device inserted into the receptacle 12.

The sheath is designed as a desktop device and can also accommodate additional output and input devices, such. Speaker and microphone, which can then be wirelessly or wired coupled to the respective electronic device. The tabletop device can be made very high quality, e.g. made of noble woods. The receptacle 54 is slightly inclined relative to the underside of the sheath and can be upright or transversely provided, so that you can work comfortably on a desk with the electronic device. After working, the device can be inserted into the first receptacle 12 and cleaned and possibly also charged.

Within the scope of the inventive concept, numerous modifications and

Developments possible, e.g. refer to the design of the recording and the cover. Thus, additional compartments can be provided, which serve to accommodate accessories such as cables, mouse, laser pointer, etc. Also can one

Compartment for a cleaning fluid, e.g. a disinfectant spray that allows a user from time to time before a clean up on the

Cleaning element and / or can spray directly on the touch screen. It may also be provided that such a cleaning fluid is manually or automatically, For example, by a pressed when closing the shell pump is given before each cleaning process to a cleaning element and / or the touch screen to be cleaned.

Claims

1 . Sheath (10) for touch screen (14) provided electronic devices (16), in particular tablet PCs such as Slate PCs, comprising a receptacle (12) for a with a touch screen (14) provided electronic device (16) and a cover ( 18) for the touchscreen (14) of an electronic device (16) introduced into the receptacle (12),

characterized,

that the casing comprises a motor, in particular an electric motor (20), and

in that the cover (18) has a cleaning plate (30) for holding and pressing a cleaning element against the touchscreen (14) of an electronic device (16) introduced into the receptacle (12),

wherein the cleaning plate (30) by means of the motor in a

two-dimensional, not purely circular movement can be displaced, which in a plane parallel to the surface of the touch screen (14) of an incorporated into the receptacle (12) electronic device (16).

2. sheath (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure with which the cleaning plate (30) against the touch screen (14) one in the

Recording (12) inserted electronic device (16) is pressed, is adjustable.

3. sheath (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cleaning plate (30) is displaceable in operation in a Trochoidenbewegung.

4. sheathing (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cleaning plate (30) via an eccentric coupling (38, 42, 50, 52) is coupled to the motor (20).

5. sheath (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized

characterized in that means for automatically starting and stopping the

Movement of the cleaning plate (30) are provided.

6. sheathing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the

motorized means for automatic cleaning comprise an electric motor (20), characterized in that means are provided for electrically coupling the electric motor with a in the receptacle (12) introduced electronic device (16).

7. sheathing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the

motorized means for automatic cleaning comprise an electric motor, characterized in that the sheath is provided with solar cells for charging an electrical power supply of the electric motor.

8. Sheath according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the receptacle is connected to the cover via a flexible tab.

9. sheathing (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized

characterized in that the receptacle (12) with the cover (18) via a

Joint hinge, preferably a hinge joint hinge is connected.

10. sheathing (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized

characterized in that the cover of a housing (56) is formed, in which the receptacle (12) is provided.

1 1. Sheath according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized

characterized in that wirelessly or wired coupled input and / or output devices, such as in particular microphone and / or speakers are provided with an introduced into the recording electronic device.

12. Sheath according to one of claims 1 to 1 1, characterized

in that the means for automatic cleaning of the touchscreen of an electronic device incorporated in the receptacle comprise means for

automatic and / or manual dispensing of a cleaning fluid, in particular a disinfecting cleaning fluid.