WO2007075881A2

WO2007075881A2 - Waterproof remote control

Info

Publication number: WO2007075881A2
Application number: PCT/US2006/048781
Authority: WO
Inventors: Baolin Liu; Bu Qiu; Ping Ju
Original assignee: Aos Holding Company
Priority date: 2005-12-26
Filing date: 2006-12-21
Publication date: 2007-07-05
Also published as: CN2860007Y; WO2007075881A3

Abstract

A waterproof remote controller. The waterproof remote controller includes a battery, a battery cover, a housing a translucent window, and a battery compartment, a circuit board, and a waterproof mask. An o-ring in a channel of the housing is compressed by the battery compartment cover to form a water-tight seal. A mask is adhered to the circuit board and to a ledge of the housing forming a water tight-seal. A light emitting diode transmits an infra-red signal to a remote device indicating a location on the mask that is pressed.

Description

WATERPROOFREMOTE CONTROL

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates to remote controllers. Hand-held remote control transmitters are common for electronic devices; however, normal housings for remote controllers are not sealed from environmental elements.

SUMMARY

[0002] In one embodiment, the invention provides a waterproof remote control including a battery, a battery cover, a housing, a circuit board, and a waterproof mask. The housing has a ledge, a translucent window, and a battery compartment. The battery compartment includes an o-ring. The circuit board includes a light emitting diode, a common button connection and one or more individual button connects. The waterproof mask is adhered to the ledge and to the circuit board and seals the housing. The battery cover is removably secured to the battery compartment and compresses the o-ring and seals the battery compartment.

[0003] In another embodiment the invention provides a method of waterproofing a remote control. The method includes forming a housing having a ledge, and a battery compartment. A circuit board is secured to the housing. An upper portion of the remote control is sealed with a mask that is adhered to the ledge. A channel is provided in the housing, around the battery compartment, and an o-ring is positioned in the channel. A battery cover is secured to the housing such that the battery cover compresses the o-ring and seals the battery compartment.

[0004] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Fig. 1 is a top view of a waterproof remote controller.

[0006] Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the waterproof remote controller of Fig. L

[0007] Fig. 3 is a top view of a circuit board of the remote controller of Fig. 1.

[0008] Fig. 4A is a bottom view of a mask of the remote controller of Fig. 1. [0009] Fig. 4B is a sectional view of the mask of Fig. 4A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted," "connected," "supported," and "coupled" and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, "connected" and "coupled" are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a top view of a waterproof remote control 100. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the waterproof remote control 100. The waterproof remote control 100 can transmit information, indicating a user has pressed a spot on the waterproof remote control 100, to a remote device configured to receive the information (e.g., a television, a water heater, etc.). In some constructions, the waterproof remote control 100 can transmit information via an infra-red (IR) signal. In other constructions, the water proof remote control 100 can transmit information via radio frequency or other wireless communication methods. The construction of the waterproof remote control 100 shown in the figures includes a housing 105, a circuit board 110, an IR light emitting diode (LED) 115, a battery 120, a battery compartment cover 125, an o-ring 130, and a waterproof mask 140.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 2, the housing 105 includes a cavity 150 to accommodate electronic components mounted on the circuit board 110. The housing also includes a battery compartment 155 configured to receive the battery 120. In the construction shown, the battery 120 is disc shaped and relatively flat. In other constructions, the battery compartment 155 can be configured to receive batteries having different shapes (e.g., cylindrical). The housing 105 also includes a window 160. The window 160 is translucent, enabling light produced by the LED 115 to project out of the waterproof remote control 100. The window 160 can be separate from the housing 105 and secured in place (e.g., by an adhesive) to provide a water-tight seal preventing water from being able to enter the bubble 400 150 of the housing 105. In other constructions, the window 160 can be integrally formed into a portion of the housing 105.

[0013] The housing 105 can be constructed of any suitable material and in any suitable method (e.g., polypropylene and injection molding) which provides a rigid, water-tight structure. The housing 105 has a ledge 170 extending around the periphery of the housing 105. The housing 105 also provides a plurality of supports (not shown) for supporting and securing (e.g., via screws) the circuit board 110 in place.

[0014] Fig. 3 is a top view of the circuit board 110. The circuit board 110 includes a common button connection 300 and one or more individual button connections 305. When an electrical connection is formed between the common button connection 300 and one of the individual button connections 305, the circuitry on the circuit board 110 creates an encoded message indicating which individual button connection 305 is coupled to the common button connection 300 and energizes the LED 115 in a pulsed sequence to transmit the message to a remote device.

[0015] The circuit board 110 also includes a plurality of holes 310 for securing the circuit board 110 to the housing 105. In addition, the circuit board 110 includes a first battery terminal 180 for electrically coupling to a first terminal 185 of the battery 120. A second terminal 190 of the battery 120 is coupled to the circuit board 110 by an arm (not shown) extending from the circuit board 110. In some constructions, the second terminal 190 of the battery 120 is coupled to the circuit board 110 by the battery compartment cover 125. The battery 120 provides power to the circuits on the circuit board 110.

[0016] In the construction shown, a channel 200 in the housing 105 surrounds the battery compartment 155. The o-ring 130 is positioned in the channel 200. The battery compartment cover 125 includes a flange 205 which is sized to fit in the channel 200. The flange 205 compresses the o-ring 130 when the battery compartment cover 125 is secured to the housing 105 and forms a water-tight seal between the battery compartment cover 125 and the housing 105. In the illustrated construction, the battery compartment cover 125 is externally threaded and screws into the battery compartment 155. Rotating the battery compartment cover 125 in one direction draws the flange 205 into the channel to compress the o-ring 130. Rotating the battery compartment cover 125 in the opposite direction removes the compression between the flange 205 and the o-ring 130 and allows the battery compartment cover 125 to be removed from the housing 105 to provide access to the battery 120.

[0017] Fig. 4 A is a bottom view of the mask 140 and Fig. 4B is a sectional view of the mask 140. The thickness of the Fig. 4B sectional view is exaggerated for clarity. The mask 140 covers the circuit board 110 and fits into the ledge 170. The mask 140 is relatively thin (e.g., five millimeters thick) and adheres to the ledge 170 and the circuit board 110 to form a water-tight seal. The water-tight seal ensures water cannot enter the housing 105 or contact the circuit board 110. The mask 140 fits onto the ledge 170 such that the mask 140 and housing 105 join at a substantially equal level, providing a flush look and feel. The mask 140 can be formed of any suitable material such as 3M high intensity waterproof glue mask. The mask 140 includes one or more bubbles 400. A bubble 400 is positioned over each of the one or more individual button connections 305 on the circuit board 110 when the mask 140 is adhered to the circuit board 110. The mask 140 also includes a common terminal 405 and one or more individual terminals 410. The individual terminals 410 are positioned in each bubble 400 and electrically coupled to the common terminal 405. In addition, the common terminal 405 is electrically coupled to the common button connector 300 on the circuit board 110. A pressure applied to the mask 140 at one of the bubbles 400 compresses the bubble 400 and causes the terminal 410 in the bubble 400 to contact an individual button connection 305 beneath it. When the terminal 410 contacts the individual button connection 305, the individual button connection 305 is coupled to the common button connection 300 via the mask 140. The circuit board 110 detects the connection and transmits a signal indicating which individual button connection 305 is coupled to the common button connection 300.

[0018] The mask 140 also includes raised graphics 135 to identify a location and operation of each of the bubbles 400 and individual button connections 305. The raised graphics 135 can provide a tactile indication to a user of the location of the individual button connections 305.

[0019] The adhering of the mask 140 to the housing 105 and the sealing of the battery compartment cover 125 to the o-ring 130 can prevent water from entering the housing 105 and damaging the battery 120 or the components on the circuit board 110. The waterproof remote control 100 meets the IEC standard for Ingress Protection rating level seven (IPx 7), and can withstand being submerged in water at a depth of one meter for thirty minutes without allowing any water to enter the housing 105.

[0020] Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a waterproof remote control able to withstand being submerged in water at a depth of one meter for thirty minutes without being damaged. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A waterproof remote control comprising: a housing having a ledge, a translucent window, and a battery compartment including an o-ring; a circuit board including a light emitting diode, a common button connection, and one or more individual button connections; a battery positioned in the battery compartment and electrically connected to the circuit board; a waterproof mask adhered to the ledge and to the circuit board and sealing the housing; and a battery cover, removably secured to the battery compartment, the battery cover compressing the o-ring and sealing the battery compartment.

2. The waterproof remote control of claim 1 wherein water is prevented from entering the remote control when the remote control is submerged in water at a depth of one meter for thirty minutes.

3. The waterproof remote control of claim 1 wherein the mask includes one or more bubbles positioned over the one or more individual button connections.

4. The waterpro of remote control of claim 3 wherein the one or more bubbles include a terminal electrically coupled to a common terminal.

5. The waterproof remote control of claim 4 wherein the common terminal is electrically coupled to the common button connection.

6. The waterproof remote control of claim 5 wherein a pressure applied to the mask at a position of a bubble electrically couples one of the terminals with one of the individual button connections.

7. The waterproof remote control of claim 6 wherein the circuit board transmits a signal when the one or more terminals are electrically coupled to the one or more individual button connections.

8. The waterproof remote control of claim 7 wherein the signal includes pulses of infrared light projected through the translucent window by the light emitting diode.

9. The waterproof remote control of claim 7 wherein the signal is radio frequency.

10. The waterproof remote control of claim 1 wherein the circuit board is secured to the housing.

11. The waterproof remote control of claim 1 wherein a position of the one or more bubbles is indicated by raised printing.

12. The waterproof remote control of claim 1 wherein the mask is about 5 millimeters thick.

13. The waterproof remote control of claim 1 wherein the mask is flush with the housing.

14. The waterproof remote control of claim 1 wherein the battery is disc shaped.

15. The waterproof remote control of claim 1 wherein rotating the battery cover in a first direction releases the battery cover from the housing providing access to the battery compartment and rotating the battery cover in a second direction secures the battery cover to the housing, compresses the o-ring to seal the battery compartment, and creates a water-tight seal.

16. The waterproof remote control of claim 1 wherein the translucent window is integrally formed in the housing.

17. The waterproof remote control of claim 1 wherein the translucent window is coupled to the housing by an adhesive, the adhesive forming a water-tight seal between the translucent window and the housing.

18. The waterproof remote control of claim 1 wherein the housing includes a channel and the battery cover includes a flange, the channel containing the o-ring and the flange configured to fit in the channel and compress the o-ring.

19. A method of waterproofing a remote control, the method comprising: forming a housing having a ledge, and a battery compartment; securing a circuit board in the housing; adhering a mask to the ledge; providing a channel in the housing around the battery compartment; positioning an o-ring in the channel; and securing a battery cover to the housing such that the battery cover compresses the o- ring and seals the battery compartment.

20. The method of claim 14 and further comprising adhering the mask to the circuit board.

21. The method of claim 14 and further comprising rotating the battery cover to removably secure and seal the battery compartment.

22. The method of claim 14 and further comprising integrally forming a translucent window in the housing.

23. The method of 14 and further comprising adhering a translucent window to the housing wherein the translucent window and the housing form a water-tight seal.