FR3046919A1 - SEALED PROTECTION COVER FOR THE USE OF A TOUCH-SCREEN ELECTRONIC APPARATUS UNDER WATER - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a waterproof protective shell (1) for the use of an underwater electronic device comprising at least one transparent zone that can be deformable (8) and delimits an internal cavity (4) adapted to receive a device electronics (5) whose touch screen (6) is arranged facing the transparent zone wall (8) at a distance from the latter. It is characterized in that it comprises a pressure compensation member, separating the internal cavity (4) from the external medium, having a greater deformability than that of the other constituents of said sealed protective shell (1), whereas said cavity internal device (4) has a volume calculated so that it allows both deformation of said compensation member under the effect of a pressure increase, and to maintain constant the distance separating the touch screen (6) from the transparent area (8).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a waterproof protective shell of an electronic device with a touch screen, in particular allowing the use underwater of the device. touch screen of the electronic apparatus disposed in the sealed protective device.

Conventionally, the touch screens of electronic devices are capacitive type. Their principle of use is based on the fact that the finger of a user, driver, can interact with the electric field generated by the screen, allowing the device to detect the position and a possible movement of the finger applied to the screen.

There are currently known various waterproof protective shells to consider the use of electronic devices underwater, at least to a certain depth.

A solution conventionally used in the context of activities such as scuba diving includes placing an electronic device inside a thick and rigid plastic shell able to withstand pressures above atmospheric pressure, and presenting a transparent area through which the screen can be viewed. Although it makes it possible to preserve a film of air between the shell and the touch screen, necessary for the operation of the latter, the thickness of the plastic with which the shell is made, and in particular its transparent zone, nevertheless prevents any manipulation of the capacitive touch screen through the latter.

To remedy this problem, the manufacturers have imagined to add, on the transparent area, buttons with watertight passages placed vis-à-vis the touch screen, and to simulate the contact of a finger on the screen. 'screen. Nevertheless, such a system is difficult to implement, since it imperatively implies placing the virtual buttons of the touch screen in front of the physical buttons of the protective shell. In addition, with such a structure, the latter does not make it possible to perform "drag" type actions, "zoom with two fingers", etc., which consequently significantly limits the range of possibilities offered by a touch screen by normal conditions of use.

It has also been observed that when the protective shells are made of plastic of lesser thickness, their transparent protective zone placed in front of the touch screen is too thin and is pressed against it by the effect of the gradual increase in pressure when diving under water. However, the absence of an air layer in front of the touch screen eventually annihilates the capacitive properties thereof, and thus prohibit any manipulation of an electronic device thus protected.

At least two other types of waterproof protective shells are known that include a transparent zone, delimiting an internal cavity adapted to receive an electronic device whose touch screen is arranged facing the transparent zone, and which makes it possible to preserve the full functionality of the device. the touch screen underwater.

In the first type, the waterproof protection device, allowing the use of the touch screen under water, is connected to a gas bottle (for example a diving bottle) which makes it possible to compensate for the effect of the pressure. and maintain a layer of gas between the touch screen and the transparent wall.

However, such a device is bulky, requires the use of a gas cylinder, and asks, if necessary, to regulate the amount of gas contained in the device. In addition, the transparent wall generally adopts a curved shape, a consequence of the internal pressure slightly greater than that of the surrounding environment.

In the second type, the waterproof protection device allowing the use of the touch screen under water requires the use of a fluid occupying the internal cavity, the incompressibility of the fluid maintaining a gap between the touch screen and the transparent wall.

However, setting up the electronic device is complex, time consuming, and the fluid can cause premature aging of the electronic device components. In addition, in this case, the electronic device can not be extracted from the sealed protection device because it forms with the latter an inseparable assembly, hermetically sealed during its manufacture, specifically dedicated to use under water. Although also allowing, if necessary, a use of the electronic device thus protected from the water, such an assembly also does not offer the same user-friendliness as an electronic device with a touch screen without a protective device. waterproof. Also, such a solution, consisting in proposing an electronic device with a touch screen and its sealed protection device in the form of an inseparable assembly, generally pushes a user to acquire another electronic device, devoid of watertight protection. . This not only represents a significant additional investment, but also contributes to inadvertently increasing the number of electronic devices held by the same user.

The present invention aims to provide a waterproof protective shell allowing the use of the touch screen of an electronic device under water, preserving all of its features, such a shell does not have the disadvantages of different types watertight protection. For this purpose, the present invention proposes a waterproof protective shell for the use of an underwater electronic device, comprising at least one transparent zone that can be deformed and delimits an internal cavity adapted to receive an electronic device whose screen tactile is arranged facing the transparent zone, at a distance from the latter, characterized in that it comprises a pressure compensation member, separating the internal cavity from the external medium, having a deformability greater than that of the other constituents of said shell while said internal cavity has a volume calculated such that it allows both a deformation of said compensation member under the effect of a pressure increase, and to maintain constant the distance separating the screen touch of the transparent area.

Advantageously, the invention also provides that in the presence of an electronic device, the internal cavity is continuous with an isolation zone which is located between the transparent zone wall and the touch screen at a compensation zone which is adapted to be occupied by the compressed pressure compensation member.

Consequently, since the pressure compensation member separates the external medium from the internal cavity and represents the most flexible part of the protective shell, the pressure of the water in which the latter is placed causes a force on the pressure compensation member which deforms more than the pressure is important. The internal cavity being shaped so that, even in the presence of the electronic device, the isolation zone, which is located between the transparent zone of the shell and the touch screen, is in communication with the compensation zone which is adapted to receive the compressed pressure compensation member, as this member is deformed, the distance separating the transparent wall of the touch screen is constant, which allows to use the touch screen under water by pressing the transparent wall until it comes into contact with the touch screen.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pressure compensation member is defined by a flexible membrane.

The sealed protective shell according to the invention is further characterized in that in the presence of an electronic device, the pressure compensation member faces the back of the latter.

Furthermore, an additional feature of the invention is defined by the fact that the transparent area is defined by a portion of material stretched in the manner of a skin of a drum.

The waterproof protective shell according to the invention is also characterized in that it comprises means capable of defining the distance separating the transparent zone of the touch screen.

According to the invention, the sealed protective shell may further comprise a protective upper shell, comprising the transparent zone, and, where appropriate, a lower protective shell which partially covers the pressure compensation member.

Advantageously, the upper and lower shells can be articulated between an open position allowing extraction and insertion of the electronic device and a closed position ensuring the sealing of the protective shell. Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the description of two embodiments of the sealed protective shell according to the invention given as non-limiting examples and illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a watertight protective shell according to a first embodiment, showing the upper protective shell comprising a transparent zone, the lower protective shell and a pressure compensation element; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the protective shell of Figure 1, housing an electronic device, and wherein the lower protective shell and the pressure compensation member are fixed to each other, - FIG. 3 represents a perspective view of the protective shell of FIGS. 1 and 2, in open configuration and housing an electronic device, and FIG. 4 represents a perspective view of a sealed protective shell according to the invention, according to a second embodiment, in a closed position, housing an electronic device and associated with a device for attaching the shell to a support.

In the embodiments illustrated in the figures, the shell 1, 10 of leakproof protection according to the invention is in the form of a housing having an upper protective shell 2, 20 and a lower protective shell 3, 30 between they have an internal cavity 4 able to house an electronic device 5 comprising a touch screen 6.

The upper protective shells 2, 20 and lower 3, 30 are also interconnected by a hinge 4 to obtain an open position of the shell 1, 10 of sealed protection, allowing the introduction and extraction of the electronic device 5 in the internal cavity 4, and a closed position, waterproof.

The sealed protective shell 1, 10 is further provided with locking means of its closed position, comprising a set of elements capable of cooperating with each other, such as for example ribs 11 and grooves 12 made so on an edge respectively of the upper protective shell 2 and the lower protective shell 3.

Conventionally, the upper protective shells 2, 20 and lower 3, 30 are made of a rigid plastic material, able to withstand immersion in water and increasing the pressure resulting from a gradual increase in depth immersion.

The upper protective shell 2, 20 further comprises a transparent zone 8, 80 that is tactilically deformable, in front of which it is intended to orient the touch screen 6 when the electronic device 5 is disposed in the internal cavity 4, of so that it is both visible and manipulable by means of the transparent zone 8, 80 in the closed position of the sealed protective shell 1, 10.

In addition, conventionally, the protective shell 1, 10 is designed such that when it houses an electronic device 5, the touch screen 6 thereof is spaced a certain distance from the transparent zone 8 , 80, allowing the presence of a film of air between these two elements. Such a configuration can for example be obtained by inserting, under the transparent zone 8, 80 into the internal cavity 4, at least one spacer capable of maintaining a predetermined distance between the transparent zone 8, 80 and the touch screen 6, by defining a shoulder for holding the electronic device 5 at a distance from the transparent area 8, 80.

Preferably, the transparent zone 8, 80 is defined by a portion of material stretched in the manner of a skin of a drum, which makes it possible in particular to reduce the bulk of the protective shell 1, 10 according to the invention while maintaining the deformability necessary for the operation of the touch screen 6. Indeed, such a configuration makes it possible to achieve a more rigid structure of the transparent zone 8, 80 without requiring more thickness. On the other hand, the lower protective shell 3 is provided with an opening 16, of oblong shape for example whose technical function will be explained in more detail below.

According to the invention, the sealed protective shell 1, 10 further comprises a pressure compensation member able to separate the internal cavity 4 from the external medium in the closed position of the sealed protective shell 1, 10 and defined, in the illustrated examples, by a flexible membrane 9.

In fact, the latter is made to define the most flexible structural member of the shell 1, 10, and in particular has a greater deformability than the other constituents of the shell 1, 10.

In fact, in the illustrated embodiments, this flexible membrane 9 has a shape complementary to that of the lower protective shell 3 in which it is intended to be fitted (see Figs 2 and 3). Thus, when the sealed protective shell 1, 10 houses an electronic device 5, the latter is disposed between the transparent zone 8 and the flexible membrane 9. The flexible membrane 9 also comprises a peripheral lip 13 capable of being crushed between the edges respective peripherals 14, 15 of the upper and lower protective shells 2 and 3, in the closed position of the leaktight protective shell 1, 10, in order to obtain the tightness of the latter.

In addition, the present invention also provides that the internal cavity 4 has a volume calculated so that it allows both a deformation of the membrane 9 under the effect of an increase in pressure, and to maintain constant distance separating the touch screen 6 from the transparent zone 8, 80 when the electronic device 5 is disposed in the protective shell 1, 10.

Thanks to such a structure, in the presence of an electronic device 5, the internal cavity 4 is continuous with an isolation zone situated between the transparent wall 8, 80 and the touch screen 6 at a compensation zone that is adapted to be occupied by the flexible membrane 9 placed in a compressed state.

In addition, in the closed position of the sealed protective shell 1, 10, the membrane 9 is placed in contact with the external medium via the oblong opening 16 of the lower protective shell 3. Thus, when the sealed protective shell 1 , 10, closed and containing an electronic device 5, is immersed, the membrane 9 is able to deform freely, but in a controlled manner, in the compensation zone formed around it. Since it represents the most flexible and deformable element of all the elements constituting the protective shell 1, 10, it only deforms and will move under the effect of a pressure modification of the surrounding environment. The layer of air contained between the transparent wall 8, 80 and the touch screen 6 of an electronic device 5 will therefore be preserved, guaranteeing the use of the latter through the transparent wall 8, 80 regardless of the pressure surrounding environment. The maximum depth to which the touch screen 6 of the electronic device 5 remains actuable is in fact determined by the ratio between the minimum necessary volume of the air film extending between the screen 6 and the transparent zone 8 , 80 and the volume of the compensation area.

It should be noted that the protective shells 1, 10 differ from each other only by their external design and have the same structural elements elsewhere. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the watertight protective shell 10 further comprises a kit 17 for fastening, for example, a garment or a bag of a user, allowing the user to dive under water equipped with an electronic device 5 protected by a protective shell 10, and to evolve there hands free.

Since the present invention allows a sealed protective shell 1, 10 to be naturally equipressure and therefore to be able to compensate, in terms of mechanical deformation, the pressure of the surrounding medium, it also has the advantage of offering the possibility of integrating in addition to an electronic device 5 equipped with a touch screen 6, other devices, such as for example external storage devices, various sensors, including a pressure sensor for a depth gauge function. Moreover a wireless communication between these possible different devices and an electronic device 5 is possible because all are in atmosphere. It is also conceivable to make an opening in the protective shell 1, 10 for the passage of a possible lens of a camera, or orifices offering the possibility of using in addition to the touch screen 6, all buttons whose electronic device 5 can be equipped.

In addition, it is very simple to apply a force on the flexible membrane 9, before immersion, through the oblong opening 16 to test its seal without risk to the electronic device 5.

It should also be noted that although in the embodiments described, the pressure compensation member is defined by a flexible membrane 9, other equivalent means can also be envisaged, such as in particular a piston able to move freely in a room that would include in this case the waterproof protective shell.

It is clear from the foregoing that the present invention achieves the objectives set forth in the introductory part of this application and in particular to provide a particularly simple solution design and therefore inexpensive. In addition, this solution is suitable for all types of existing standard touch devices, such as a smartphone, tablet, etc.

In addition, the waterproof protective shell according to the invention can be used both in moist hyperbaric medium (scuba diving, ..) and a dry hyperbaric medium (decompression chamber).

Claims (9)

1. Waterproof protective shell (1, 10) for the use of an underwater electronic device comprising at least one transparent zone that can be deformed (8, 80) and delimits an internal cavity (4) adapted to receive a device electronics (5) whose touch screen (6) is arranged facing the transparent zone (8, 80) at a distance from the latter, characterized in that it comprises a pressure compensation element, separating the internal cavity (4) of the external medium, having a greater deformability than the other constituents of said sealed protective shell (1, 10), while said internal cavity (4) has a volume calculated so that it allows both a deformation of said compensation member under the effect of an increase in pressure, and to maintain constant the distance separating the touch screen (6) from the transparent zone (8, 80). Watertight protective shell (1, 10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the presence of the electronic device (5), the internal cavity (4) is continuous with an insulation zone which is located between the transparent area (8, 80) and the touch screen (6) a compensating area which is adapted to be occupied by the pressure compensating member in a corrected state. 3. Waterproof protective shell (1, 10) according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the pressure compensation member is a flexible membrane (9). Watertight protective shell (1, 10) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, in the presence of the electronic device (5), the pressure compensation member faces the back of the device. latest. 5. Waterproof protective shell (1, 10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the transparent zone (8, 80) is defined by a portion of material stretched in the manner of a skin of a drum. 6. Waterproof protective shell (1, 10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises means able to define the distance separating the transparent wall (8, 80) of the touch screen ( 6) an electronic device (5). 7. Waterproof protective shell (1, 10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises an upper protective shell (2, 20) comprising the transparent zone (8, 80). 8. Waterproof protective shell (1, 10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a lower shell (3, 30) of protection which partially covers the pressure compensation member. 9. Waterproof protective shell (1, 10) according to claim 8 dependent on claim 7, characterized in that the upper and lower shells (2, 3, 20, 30) are articulated between an open position for extraction and inserting an electronic apparatus (5) and a closed position sealing the protective shell (1, 10).