FR3046919B1 - 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 electronic device underwater comprising at least one tactile deformable transparent zone (8) and delimiting an internal cavity (4), adapted to receive a device. electronics (5), the touch screen (6) of which is arranged facing the transparent zone wall (8) at a certain 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 deformability greater than that of the other constituents of said waterproof protective shell (1), while said cavity internal (4) has a volume calculated in such a way that it allows both a deformation of said compensating member under the effect of an increase in pressure, and to keep constant the distance separating the touch screen (6) from the transparent area (8).

Description

The invention relates to a waterproof protective shell of an electronic device with a touch screen, particularly for the use underwater of the touch screen of the electronic apparatus disposed in the sealed protection device.

Conventionally, the touch screens of the electronic devices are of the 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 any movement of the finger applied to the screen.

At present, various watertight hulls are known which make it possible to envisage the use of electronic devices under water, at least to a certain depth.

A solution conventionally used in the field of activities such as scuba diving includes placing an electronic device inside a thick and rigid shellplastic able to withstand pressures above atmospheric pressure, and having a zonetransparente through the screen can be visualized. Although allowing 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 area, however, prevents any manipulation of the capacitive touch screen through this last.

To remedy this problem, the manufacturers have imagined adding, on the transparent zone, buttons provided with leakproof passages placed vis-à-vis the touch screen, and allowing to simulate the touch of a finger on the screen. Nevertheless, such a system proves complex to implement, since it imperatively implies placing 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 significantlyimizes the range of possibilities offered by a touchscreen under normal use conditions. .

It has also been observed that when the protective hulls are made of thinner plastic, their transparent protective zone placed in front of the touch screen is too thin and is pressed against it by the effect of the progressive increase of pressure when diving in water. However, the absence of an air layer in front of the touch screen ends up annihilating the capacitive properties thereof, and thus prohibit any manipulation of an electronically protected device.

At least two other types of waterproof protective shells with a transparent zone, defining an internal cavity adapted to receive an electronic device whose touchscreen is arranged facing the zonetransparent, and making it possible to preserve the full functionality of the touchscreen, are also known. under water.

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

However, such a device is bulky, necessit''utilisation a gas bottle, and asks, if any, to regulate the amount of gas contained in the device. In addition, the transparent wall generally adopts a convex shape, a consequence of the internal pressure slightly higher than that of the surrounding environment.

In the second type, the sealed protection device allowing the use of the touchscreen under water requires the use of a fluid occupying the internal cavity, the incompressibility of the fluid maintaining a gap between the Ecranactile 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 closed during its manufacture, specifically dedicated to use underwater. While also permitting, where appropriate, the use of the electronic device thus protected from the water, such an assembly also does not offer the same user-friendliness as a touch-screen electronic device without waterproof protection device. Also, such a solution, consisting in proposing an electronic device with a touchscreen and its watertight protection device in the form of an inseparable assembly, generally pushes a user to acquire another electronic device, devoid of waterproof protection. This represents not only a significant additional investment, but also contributes to the untimely increase in 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 underwater, preserving all of its features, such a shell does not have the disadvantages of the different types of waterproof protectionpecified. For this purpose, the present invention provides a sealed protective shell for the use of an electronic device in water, comprising at least one transparent and easily deformable area and delimiting an internal cavity adapted to receive an electronic device whose touch screen is placed facing the the transparent zone, at a certain distance from the latter, characterized in that it comprises a pressure compensation element, separating the internal cavity from the external medium, having a greater deformability than the other constituents of said sealed protective shell, while said internal cavity It has a volume calculated in such a way that it allows both a deformation of the compensating diaphragm under the effect of an increase of depression, and to keep constant the distance separating the screen-print from the transparent zone.

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

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 disposed forces the compensation element of pressure that deforms as much as pressure is important. The inner cavity is shaped so that, even in the presence of the electronic device, the isolation zone, which is located between the shell zonetransparent and the touch screen, is in communication with the compensation zone which is adapted to receive the compressed pressure compensating member, as this member is deformed, the distance between the paroitransparente of the touch screen is constant, allowing to use the touch screen underwater by pressing the transparent wall until it comes into contact with the 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 also characterizes in that in the presence of an electronic device, the pressure compensation member faces the latter.

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

The sealed 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 touchscreen.

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

Advantageously, the upper and lower shells may be hinged between an open position forextraction 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: - Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a waterproof protective shell according to a first embodiment, showing the upper protective shell comprising a zonetransparent, the lower protective shell and a pressure compensation member; - Figure 2 is a perspective view. exploded in the protective shell of FIG. 1, housing an electronic device, and in which the lower protective shell and the pressure compensation member are fixed to one another; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the shell protection of FIGS. 1 and 2, in open configuration accommodating an electronic device, and FIG. presents a perspective view of a waterproof protection 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 present in the form of a housing having a protective upper shell 2, 20 and a lower protective shell 3, 30ménalement an internal cavity between them 4 able to house an electronic device 5 having 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 leaktight 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 from its closed position, comprising a set of elements capable of cooperating with each other, such as for example ribs 11 and grooves 12 suitably made on a edge respectively of the upper protective shell 2 and the lower protective shell 3.

Conventionally, the upper and lower protective shells 3, 3, 30 are made of a plastic-resistant material, able to withstand immersion in water and the increase in pressure resulting from a progressive increase in immersion depth. .

The upper protective shell 2, 20 also includes a transparent zone 8, 80 that is tactilically deformable, with the opposite of which it is intended to orient the touch screen 6 when the electronic device 5 is disposed in the internal cavity 4, so that it both visible and manipulated 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, 10is 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 able to maintain a predetermined distance between the transparent zone 8, 80 and the touchscreen 6, defining a shoulder that makes it possible to maintain the electronic apparatus 5 at a distance from the transparent area8, 80.

Preferably, the transparent zone 8, 80 is defined bya 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 preserving the 6. Indeed, such a configuration makes it possible to result in a more rigid structure of the transparent zone 8, 8 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 shell1, 10 further comprises a pressure compensation member even 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 in such a way as to define the most flexible structural element of the shell 1, 10, andpresents in particular 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 leaktightness of leakage 1, 10 houses an electronic device 5, the latter is disposed between the zonetransparente 8 and the flexible membrane 9. The flexible membrane 9comporte also a peripheral lip 13 adapted to be crushed between the respective peripheral edges 14, 15 2 and lower 3, in the closed position of the sealed protective shell 1, 10, in order to obtain the seal 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 a pressure increase, and to maintain constantthe distance separating the screen 6 of the transparent zone8, 80 when the electronic device 5 is disposed in the protection zone 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 which is adapted to be occupied. by the flexible membrane 9 placed in a compressed state.

In addition, in the closed position of the watertight hull 1, 10, the membrane 9 is placed in contact with the external environment via the oblong opening 16 of the lower protective shell 3. Thus, when the watertight hull 1,10, closed and containing an electronic device 5 estimergergée, the membrane 9 is able to deform freely, but in a controlled manner, in the compensation zone 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 sedéplacera under the effect of a pressure change environmentenvironnant. The air layer contained between the paroitransparente 8, 80 and the touch screen 6 of an electronic device 5 will be preserved, ensuring the usede thereof through the transparent wall 8, 80 regardless of the pressure of the surrounding environment. The maximum depth up 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 levolume of the compensation area.

It should be noted that the protective shells 1, 10diffèrent one of the other only by their external design andcomprise the same structural elements elsewhere. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the watertight protective shell 10 also includes a kit 17 for fastening a user's clothing or bag, for example, enabling the user to dive underwater equipped with an electronic device 5protected by a protective shell 10, and to evolve the handsfibres.

Since the present invention allows a sealed protective shell 1, 10 to be naturally equi-pressure and therefore to be able to compensate, in terms of mechanical deformation, the pressure of the surrounding medium, it also presents the advantage of offering the possibility of integrating in addition to an electronic device 5 equipped with a touchscreen 6, other devices, such as for example external storage devices, various sensors, including a pressure sensor for a depth gauge function. In addition, a wireless communication between these different peripheral devices and an electronic device 5 is possible. It is also conceivable to realize an opening in the protective shell 1, 10 for the passing of a possible lens of a camera, or ports offering the possibility of using in addition to the ecantactile 6, all the buttons of which 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 aperture 16 to test its watertightness for the electronic device 5.

It should also be noted that although in the variants of the invention 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 chamber. that would include in this case the waterproof protective shell.

It is clear from the foregoing that the present invention makes it possible to achieve the objectives set forth in the introductory part of the present application and in particular to propose a particularly simple solution of design and thus 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, ..) than a dry hyperbaric medium (decompression chamber).

Claims (10)

1. Waterproof protective shell (1, 10) for the use of an underwater electronic device comprising at least one tactually deformable zonetransparent (8, 80) and delimiting an internal cavity (4) adapted to receive an electronic device ( 5) whose touch screen (6) is arranged facing the transparent zone (8, 80) at a distance from the latter, characterized in that the internal cavity (4) comprises a compensation zone in which is disposed a pressure compensation, separating the internal cavity (4) from the external medium, having a greater deformability than that of the other constituents of the leaktight protection shell (1, 10), the pressure compensating member thus compensating for a pressure increase by mechanical deformation, while the internal cavity (4) has a calculated volume of the compensation zone in such a way that it allows both a free deformation of the decompensation member under the effect of a increasing the pressure, andmaintaining constant the distance separating the touch screen (6) from the transparent area (8, 80). 2. Waterproof 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 situated between the transparent area (8, 80) and the touch screen (6) to a compensating area which is adapted to be occupied by the pressure compensating member in the compressed state. 3. Waterproof protective shell (1, 10) according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that, in the presence of the electronic device (5), the pressure compensation memberfaitface to the back of the latter . 4. Waterproof protective shell (1, 10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, 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. 5. Waterproof protective shell (1, 10) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprisesmeasants able to define the distance between the transparent wall (8, 80) of the touch screen (6) an electronic device (5). 6. Waterproof protective shell (1, 10) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises aecoques superior (2, 20) and a lower shell (3, 30) which are articulated between an open position allowing extracting and inserting an electronic device (5) and a closed position ensuring sealing of the protective shell (1, 10). 7. Waterproof protective shell (1, 10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the upper shell (2, 20) ofprotection comprises the transparent zone (8, 80). 8. Waterproof protective shell (1, 10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the lower shell (3, 30) of protection partially covers the depression compensation member thus ensuring the sealing of the protective shell (1.10 ). 9. Waterproof protective shell (1, 10) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the pressure compensation member is a flexible membrane (9). 10. Waterproof protective shell (1, 10) according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the flexible membrane (9) comprises a peripheral lip (13) adapted to be crushed between the edges (14, 15) of the shells of upper and lower protection (2, 20, 3, 30) in the closed position of the sealed protective shell (1, 10) ensuring its sealing.