GB2538831A - Volume control system for hermetic containers and/or cases intended to protect electrical and/or electronic devices - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a volume control system using compressed air or any other type of gaseous fluid, formed by a main body (4), characterised in that the system comprises: a pressure conduit (8) connected to a source of compressed air or any compressible gaseous fluid (16); a connection tube (20) connected to the pressure conduit (8), which supplies compressed air to the inflation system via an inflation valve (23); a main body (4) which supplies air to the at least one hermetic case (1); and an additional part on the casing (22) of the main body (4), called the membrane (21), which is solidly connected to this element (22).

Description

Volume regulation system for housings and hermetic cases suitable to protect electric and electronic devices underwater.

Field of the invention

The here mentioned invention refers to a pressure regulation system for cases or hermetic housings suitable to protect non-waterproof objects provided with a touch screen, a conventional keyboard and/or a keypad.

Description of the related art

Currently there are different kinds of hermetic housings made to protect a wide range of electronic and electrical items such as cameras, cell phones, tablets or even laptops. These housings can be divided into three categories.

The first includes the ones featuring a transparent and flexible material, which allows the user to insert easily a device inside the housing. Such housings let the user have control over all the buttons of the device located inside in an easy and safe way. The manufacturing process of the cases of this first category is relatively simple and the cost of the production is low. Besides, these housings feature a great versatility since it is possible to insert and use different electronic devices inside the same housing. On the other hand, such cases can be used only at a very limited maximum depth due to their low capacity to bear the external liquid pressure. As a result, the volume of the housing decreases, risking crashing the item located inside when exceeding the maximum depth set by the manufacturer. This, in turn, can also cause a leakage of water inside the housing where the device is located, damaging it.

The second category of housings includes housings made of a rigid material that is much more resistant to pressure than the first type of housings. Due to the rigidity of this second type of housings, it is possible to control the device located internally only through buttons or pulsating commands designed to match exactly the ones which are part of the item located inside. These commands are designed as mobile elements and consequently water is highly likely to leak from them. Indeed, they have to be manufactured very precisely and they also have to feature hermetic junctions in order to avoid leakage of water inside when used underwater. This is the reason why the manufacturing costs of the housings of the second category are higher than those of the flexible ones. Another disadvantage of the rigid ones consists of the possibility to use only one specific device inside due to the fact that the buttons have to match perfectly the device located inside, nullifying the versatility features. There are rigid housings which allow the user to move the buttons and the pulsating commands, letting them suitable for different devices instead of only for a specific one. Even though, it is not possible to use all the functions on all devices, limiting the use of the item located inside. Moreover, the maximum depth set for this type of housings is also very limited.

The third category of housings is based on the technical foundation of the present invention with the difference that this can just protect touch screen devices and not other electronic devices like cameras, lights, metal detectors and whatever non touchscreen electronic device which is not able to be submerged in water. When it comes to the protection of touch screen devices there are also important differences between the invention here mentioned and the third category. The first one is that the third category can not protect more than one electronic device at once using the same inflating valve (23) since this valve is unique for every housing. The second one is that its versatility is low when it comes to use devices of different dimensions because the case is made of a non-deformable rigid material. As a result, if the user wish to change the model of the touch screen device he usually carries when diving, he would also need to match it with a new housing suitable for the new device. Another very important difference lays on the manufacturing process since this third category is much more difficult to produce than the invention here mentioned. Besides, another advantage of this invention with respect of the system of the previously mentioned third category is that the user would be able to access the buttons present on the side of the device, whereas with the already existing housing it is not possible.

Considering everything said above, we can affirm that nowadays in the market there isn't any system which can count on the advantages of the here mentioned invention and which combines the versatility and the low manufacturing cost of the flexible housing with the pressure resistance and long lasting features of the rigid housings.

Summary of the invention

The here mentioned invention aims to solve the inconveniences brought about by the categories mentioned above creating a system which allows the user to dive to depths equals or superiors than the rigid housings but with the versatility and the cost-effective production/low costs of flexible housings. This would permit the user to dive with electric/electronic devices such as tablets of many different brands or models, cameras of many different brands or models, conventional cell phones or smart phones with touch screen of many different brands or models, metal detectors of many different brands or models, laptops and notebooks of many different brands or models and also any other device which cannot be submerged in liquid or water due to its inability to be used in this context since it could break apart or turn damaged. The here mentioned invention would offer its user the possibility to interact with all the controls of the electronic/electrical device located inside the housing underwater thus allowing the diver to enjoy the 100% of the functions.

This aim is pursued by linking a main body (4) with an hermetic flexible housing (1). The main body (4) is made up with a material with enough resistance to locate and protect a valve (23). This valve (23) is actuated by a membrane (21) as shown in Figure 4. Alternatively, the membrane (21) can serve as a housing for the valve (23) located inside the main body (4) and thus surrounding the previously mentioned valve (23) and isolating it from the exterior liquid. In this instance, the depressurized hose (26) can be connected directly to the membrane-housing (21).

The valve (23) introduces air into the hermetic housing (1) whose interior has got a pressure equal to the atmospheric one on the sea level thanks to a depressurized hose (26) which can be provided with a security opening and closing valve (3) located into any of the two ends of the previously mentioned depressurized hose (26). At the same time is connected to the other end of the main body (4), a pressurized hose (8). This hose (8) is provided with a security valve (5) through which the inflating system can be easily disconnected or connected from/to the air or gas source, according to Figure 1. The supply of this air or gas going through the pressurized hose (8) comes from a compressed air source or from any other pressurized gaseous fluid (16) such as the autonomous scuba tank of the diver, an independent pressurized deposit or any other device able to supply the pressurized air or gas. The air is supplied at a minimal operating pressure, enough for the valve (23) to supply air when it is actuated by the membrane (21) and at a maximal pressure that does not override the maximal one allowed for the same valve (23).

As the user starts to dive into water, the difference between the pressure inside the inflating system shown in Figure 2 and the exterior fluid will increase. Consequently, the volume will decrease automatically powering the inflating valve (23) by the membrane (21). The inflating valve (23) introduces pressurized air coming from a pressurized hose (8). As a result, the introduced air inflates the system shown in Figure 2, thus equalizing the interior pressure of the system with that of the exterior fluid, putting the membrane (21) back to its initial rest position and letting the hermetic housing (1) recovering its initial volume, previous to the powering of the valve, avoiding any damage to the electronic/electric while descending. This cycle repeats as many times as needed during the descent. When necessary, and depending on the sensitivity of the valve (23) used for manufacturing the main body (4), the user will be able to activate the valve (23) during the descent thus regulating the volume of the hermetic housing (1) manually. Once the sea bottom or the aimed maximum depth have been reached and when necessary, the diver will be able to increase the volume of the hermetic housing adapting it to his needs hence facilitating the use of the device located inside the housing, activating itself the inflating valve (23) through a button or directly by pushing the membrane (21). The inflating system according to Figure 2 has got a fastening system (31) which could be mechanic, magnetic or of any other kind and which can set the previously mentioned inflating system to the user or to any object belonging to him.

Once the maximum depth has been reached, the inflating system (Figure 2) can be disconnected from the pressurized hose (8) and the device located inside the housing can be used normally. If the diver needs to descend further after the disconnection, the pressurized hose (8) can be connected again to the inflating system (Figure 2) and it is possible to start the descent normally. The inflation system (Figure 2) can be transferred to another diver in order to connect it to his air source (16) and be used normally by the new diver.

The main body (4) can be provided with a protector (28) for the membrane (21) which, when necessary, can avoid the contact between it/the previously mentioned membrane and other objects during for example, the descent or the transfer of the system to another diver and thus avoiding the valve to be activated involuntary.

The main body (4) can house inside a primary system of water absorption (32) according (Figure 4) in order to keep leakages away during the connection and disconnection of the inflation system being in water. In the case of leakage of wastewater through the primary filtration system, the here mentioned invention can be provided with a secondary system of absorption (24), located inside the depressurized hose (26). This hose can be tied to the elements (1) and (4) through conventional connections or through safety rapid connections featuring an automatic closure (29) which may be provided with one-way valve. This kind of valve makes the disconnection between the hermetic housing (1) and the main body (4) possible without risking a leakage of water from the exterior fluid inside either the inflation system or the hermetic housing (1). The here mentioned invention can also be provided, when necessary, with a system (30) consisting in a towrope that connects the main body (4) and the hermetic housing (1) reliably hence avoiding the breakage of the depressurized hose or hoses due to tension stresses produced by jolts during the immersion. This system (30) can be located either inside or outside the depressurized hose (26), as shown in Figure 2. Both options are marked in Figure 2 in red and blue.

When starting the ascension process to the surface, the housing (1) has got the same pressure as outside but as the user ascends, the outside pressure decreases thus provoking a pressure difference in this case inversely proportional to the one produced during the descent. The hermetic housing (1) will then have more pressure than outside and it will tend to increase its volume and to expand. The excess of air produced by the volume increase will be released through the relief valve (2) and/or (17).

As a result, the here mentioned invention succeeds in protecting electric and electronic devices featuring either a touch screen or a conventional keypad with buttons, so that these can be submerged in liquid thank to a much more cost-effective system than the one related to rigid housings or the one concerning pressurized semi-rigid housings and reaching deeper depths. Moreover, the here mentioned system provides the same versatility as the one concerning flexible housings and it allows the user to dive with more than one electronic or electric device using only one main body (4) since all the hermetic housings are connected to the same main body (4) and since all the costly elements of the system are located inside the main body (4) the manufacturing cost of this system decreases significantly.

Consequently, the hereby mentioned invention presents all the advantages of the three system categories previously described but without any of their inconveniences or disadvantages. With this we conclude that nowadays there isn't any waterproof system or product on the market which features all the advantages mentioned before and which could be easily used, versatile and with a low manufacturing price.

Brief description of the drawings

This is a short description of the figures mentioned throughout this text.

Figure 1, frontal view of a possible connection of the inflation system to a source of pressurized air (16). Figure 2, frontal view of the inflation system showing all the elements of the system.

Figure 3, isometric view of the main body (4) showing the external elements of it.

Figure 4, frontal view of the main body (4) with a longitudinal axe section showing its internal elements.

Figure 5, frontal view of a possible connection of the inflation system to a source of pressurized air (16) showing a connection to more than one hermetic housing (1).

Figure 6, frontal view of an alternative version in which the alternate second stage (52) is connected directly to the inflation system through a depressurized hose (26) through a connection (50) and a security valve.

The shape of the main body (4) and of its internal elements and the shape or structure of the inflation system shown in the figures are only examples in order to facilitate the understanding of the hereby mentioned invention and they didn't define its final shape nor its final structure.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

As an example such as the one shown in Figure 2, there is an inflation system made up of a main body (4) which can be composed of a one-piece body or the assembly of different pieces. As shown in Figure 4, at the End 1 of the main body (4); the inflation valve (23) and the fitting (20) are assembled. On the End 2 of the main body (4) the depressurized hose (26) is connected in order to carry auto the hermetic housing (1) through the connections (29). Meanwhile, the hereby mentioned invention is provided with a towrope (30) in order to avoid the breakage of the hose (26). On the same End 2; a relief valve (17) can be installed, according to Figure 4. The fitting (20) is connected to a pressurized hose (8) featuring an automatic closing safety valve (5). This hose (8) can be connected to any air source or to any pressurized gaseous fluid not exceeding the maximum pressure supported by the valve (23) and with a sufficient minimum pressure to activate the mentioned valve (23).

Another example according to Figure 2, the inflation system has got the elements (4) and (1) tied to each other through a depressurized tube (26) connected to the connections (29) thank to a safety fast connection valve (3) which avoids the leakage of water inside the hermetic housing (1) if the connections (29) are not working properly. This is brought about by the disconnection of the hermetic housing (1) from the rest of the inflating system.

in one more example, the inflation system according to Figure 5, is composed of two hermetic housings (1) connected at the same time to the main body (4). It is possible to connect as many housings as needed; taking into account that the inflation system must be able to provide enough pressurized air in order to maintain them all to a constant volume.

In an alternative example, the inflation system according to Figure 6 is connected directly to the secondary regulator (52), without the main body (4) through a connection (50) and a safety valve (53), in this case the safety valve (5) is optional In all the above mentioned embodiments, the quantity of the hermetic housings (1) connected to the main body (4); is the one needed according to the user, being one the lowest unit possible. The above mentioned alternatives are meant only as examples and they do not exclude new possibilities of alternatives where the configuration and/or the order of the elements of the invention have been changed, such as the location of the main body (4) or any of its versions inside the hermetic housing (1), without excluding the context of the hereby mentioned invention.

Claims (3)

1. Claims 1 Volume regulation system which works through compressed air or any other gaseous fluid type destined to a high safety use of one or more electric/electronic devices such as tablets, laser indicators, mp3 or music players, cameras, video cameras, lights, flashes, computers, lap tops, metal detectors, conventional phones, smart phones or other possible devices, all of them of any brand or model with whatever button's set up, comprising one or more hermetic transparent and flexible housing (1) that can contain one or more devices mentioned before. The volume of the housing can be controlled, no matter the pressure outside the housing, thanks to a main body (4) featuring a rigid housing (22) with a membrane (21) which covers completely or partially the main body (4). The mentioned membrane (21) is linked directly to the valve (23) which at the same time is connected to a compressed gas or air source (16) (scuba tank, independent tank or whatever air source), through a fitting (20) and a pressurized hose (8). The membrane (21) can actuate automatically the valve (23) according to the water pressure outside the housing depending on how deep the diver is diving. The diver can actuate manually the valve (23) at any time. The hermetic housing (1) can be connected to the surface, if needed, through a coaxial cable.
2. 2 Volume regulation system which works through compressed air or any other fluid type according to Claim 1, wherein the main body (4) is connected to one or more housings (1), made of flexible or rigid material, through a depressurized hose (26) using conventional or safety connections (29) which can be provided with one-way valve. The hose (26) can feature a fast connection safety valve (3) and the connections (29) can be located anywhere in the depressurized hose (26) being installed at the ends or in the middle of the mentioned hose.
3. 3. Volume regulation system which works through compressed air or any other fluid type according to the previous claims, wherein in an alternative realization, the membrane (21), instead of surrounding the main body (4) either padially or entirely, can be located inside the main body (4) thus surrounding the valve (23) completely in order to isolate it from the external environment so that the depressurized hose (26) is connected directly to the protecting membrane (21).

   4 Volume regulation system which works through compressed air or any other fluid type according to the previous claims, comprising a relief valve (17) set in the main body (4) and/or at least one or more relief valves (2), set in whichever part of the depressurized hose (26), hence being possible to install the hereby mentioned valve before or after the connections (29). When more than one flexible housing (1) are being used, there could be at least one relief valve (2) and/or (17) one for each depressurized hose (26).

   Volume regulation system which works through compressed air or any other fluid type according to the previous claims, wherein, for safety reasons, the main body (4) can be provided with a protector (28) in order to avoid movements or deformations of the membrane (21) brought about by blows or undesired contacts with solid objects which are not part of the invention.

   Volume regulation system which works through compressed air or any other fluid type according to the previous claims wherein the main body (4) and/or the pressurized hose (8) is provided with a magnetic or secured mechanic fastening device, depending if the scuba tank is provided with a protecting net or not. In this way it is possible to fix the inflation system to the scuba tank in order to facilitate the diver's freedom of movement The two fastening systems are tied with the main body (4) through an elastic band/belt where the hook or the magnetic material is located. This can move throughout the band/belt thank to an adjustment buckle that regulates its length according the divers' needs.

   Volume regulation system which works through compressed air or any other fluid type according to the previous claims, wherein, the main body (4) is or could be provided with a residual water absorption system (32) which absorbs the water that could have entered connecting or disconnecting the inflation system during the immersion.

   8 Volume regulation system which works through compressed air or any other fluid type according to the previous claims, wherein, the depressurized hose/hoses (26) can be provided with a secondary absorption system (24) inside. This absorption system can be fastened to any of the ends of the here mentioned hose (26) or can be just stuck inside the hose itself letting enough quantity of air to flow through the hose, providing the system the air needed to be regulated automatically and at the same time avoiding residual water that was not absorbed from the primary system (32) getting into it. This system (24) can be removed at any time and a new one can be installed every time the user think it is necessary.

   9 Volume regulation system which works through compressed air or any other fluid type according to the previous claims, comprising a union system (30) that puts together indisputably the main body (4) and the hermetic housing/housings (1). It is composed of a cable made of a sufficiently resistant material and with a slightly inferior length than the hose (26) that can be fastened to the connections (29) so that the hermetic housing (1) can always be disconnected but that can also withstand jerks while it is connected. It can be iocated either inside or outside the depressurized hose.

   Volume regulation system which works through compressed air or any other fluid type according to the previous claims, wherein in an alternative embodiment the main body (4) with or without the membrane (21) can be locate inside the hermetic housing (1).

   11 Volume regulation system which works through compressed air or any other fluid type according to the previous claims, wherein in an alternative embodiment the depressurized hose or hoses (26) are connected directly to the alternate second stage (52) through a band connection made of plastic, metal or any other material (50) capable of being used with this aim. This connection (50) can be provided with a mouthpiece (51) similar to the one featuring the primary second stage, having got a closing valve that avoids the leakage of water meanwhile it is not being used so that, when the alternate second stage is needed, the diver can breathe directly without having to disconnect the plastic connection (50). When the extra mouthpiece (51) is not present and in the event of emergency or need, the diver is able to disconnect the alternate second stage with a simple hand pull thus disconnecting it from the plastic connection (50), being able to breath normally This connection (50) is linked to the depressurized hose (26) through a security valve (53) that, in case of disconnection of the plastic connection (50) from the alternate secondary stage (52), avoids the leakage of water into the hermetic housing (1). In this case, the alternate second stage (52) works as the main body (4).

   12 Volume regulation system which works through compressed air or any other fluid type according to the previous claims, wherein the hermetic housing or housings (1) are made of conventional flexible material, special flexible material or any other flexible material with an area that is resistant to the scratches made of either flexible or rigid material which coincides with the objective of the electronic device located inside the hermetic housing (1). In the above-mentioned area, different light filters can be installed in order to take pictures at a certain depths where some colors are missing. At the same time, the hermetic housing (1) has got a flap that covers and protects the previously mentioned window when the electronic device is not in use.

   13 Volume regulation system which works through compressed air or any other fluid type according to the previous claims, wherein the hermetic housing (1) has got an additional and optional protective layer made of soft material so that it can absorb eventual shocks suffered by the device located inside the here mentioned housing (1).

   14 Volume regulation system which works through compressed air or any other fluid type according to the previous claims, wherein if the fluid used to regulate the volume inflation system is compressed air coming from the scuba tank, this air can be taken equally from the high or the ow-pressure source located in the first stage, according to scuba standards.Volume regulation system which works through compressed air or any other fluid type according to the previous claims, comprising a separator located between the hermetic housing (1) and the photographic objective of the device located inside of the above mentioned housing so that the separator is able to isolate the photographic objective from the rest of the hermetic housing (1) interior environment and when the flash is used it avoids the flash to be reflected inside the hermetic housing (1) or in the zone in which the objective is located. As a result, the quality of the photo is not affected.