WO2010112524A1 - A device housing - Google Patents

A device housing Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2010112524A1
WO2010112524A1 PCT/EP2010/054239 EP2010054239W WO2010112524A1 WO 2010112524 A1 WO2010112524 A1 WO 2010112524A1 EP 2010054239 W EP2010054239 W EP 2010054239W WO 2010112524 A1 WO2010112524 A1 WO 2010112524A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
housing
switch
pressure
switch portion
actuated
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2010/054239
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Philip O'dea
Original Assignee
Suparules Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Suparules Limited filed Critical Suparules Limited
Publication of WO2010112524A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010112524A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/02—Bases, casings, or covers
    • H01H9/04—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof casings
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
    • H01H2003/007—Mechanisms for operating contacts the contacts being actuated by deformation of a flexible housing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2221/00—Actuators
    • H01H2221/09—Flexible integral part of housing

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a housing for a device, in particular a housing for an electronic device requiring a relatively high ingress protection level.
  • a typical housing 10 comprising a base 12 and a lid 14.
  • the housing material is made of sufficient thickness to allow little or no flexibility of the material, to provide a rigid structure to contain the device electronics, and to provide sufficient robustness against any possible physical damage during typical use of the device.
  • Fig. 2 shows the base 12 of the housing 10 with the lid 14 removed showing the interior of the device.
  • a push-button switch 16 is mounted on a PCB 18 holding the other electronics (not shown) of the unit.
  • a known solution to the problem of providing an accessible push-button switch while maintaining the required ingress protection level is to drill a hole in the lid 14 of the housing 10, above the switch 16. Then a Lexan label (or suitable flexible label) is provided over the lid 14, such that it covers the hole.
  • the push-button switch 16 typically requires a downward movement of approximately 1-2 mm to activate. If the hole is large enough, and the Lexan label thin enough, the label will be flexible enough at this position to allow the 1 mm downward travel, thus allowing actuation of the switch 16.
  • the above Lexan label solution will be acceptable in an indoors environment, or in an outdoors environment which is not too harsh. In a harsh environment (e.g. salt exposure, UV-weathering, large temperature extremes), over time the Lexan label will tend to lift from the enclosure surface, and thereby violating the IP65 protection rating.
  • a harsh environment e.g. salt exposure, UV-weathering, large temperature extremes
  • Such known devices may be adapted for harsh environment use, e.g. through the use of additional components e.g. sealing boots, washer, panel bushes, etc.
  • additional components e.g. sealing boots, washer, panel bushes, etc.
  • employing such components in the device leads to increased cost. Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a low-cost device housing that provides durable protection against the ingress of water or dust, while still allowing for easy mechanical activation of the switch device within the housing.
  • a housing to receive a device, the device comprising a pressure- actuated switch, the housing comprising a rigid body to enclose the device preventing the ingress of material to the interior of the housing, characterised in that the housing body comprises a switch portion integral to the main body and located adjacent to the pressure-actuated switch to be received within the housing body, the switch portion being of a reduced thickness relative to the remainder of the housing body, such that the switch portion is operable to deflect when subjected to pressure applied to the external surface of the switch portion, allowing for the actuation of the switch received within the housing.
  • switch portion is formed integral to the housing body, there is no risk of the integrity of the housing being compromised due to environmental extremes.
  • the switch portion comprises a recess provided on a portion of the interior surface of the housing body.
  • At least a portion of the pressure-actuated switch is received within the recess.
  • the housing body comprises a base portion and a lid portion.
  • the housing further comprises a sealing member provided at the interface between the base portion and the lid portion.
  • a housing as aforesaid and a device located within the housing.
  • an assembly comprising a device having a pressure-actuated switch accessible at the exterior thereof, and a housing comprising a rigid body which encloses the device preventing the ingress of material to the interior of the housing, wherein the housing body comprises a switch portion integral to the main body and wherein the pressure-actuated switch of the device is located adjacent the switch portion of the housing body, the switch portion being of a reduced thickness relative to the remainder of the housing body, such that the switch portion is operable to deflect when subjected to pressure applied to the external surface of the switch portion, allowing for the actuation of the pressure-actuated switch of the device located within the housing.
  • the interior of the housing body is shaped to closely receive the device therein, such that the device is supported immovably within the housing.
  • the device is preferably an electronic device which is not moisture-proof or which is not moisture- resistant.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a known housing for a device
  • Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the base portion of the housing of Fig. 1 ;
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a lid portion of a housing according to the invention.
  • Fig. 4 is a first cross-sectional view of a housing according to the invention enclosing a device
  • Fig. 5 is a second cross-sectional view of a housing according to the invention enclosing a device, taken orthogonally to Fig. 4.
  • a lid 20 for a housing 10a With reference to Fig. 3, the underside of a lid 20 for a housing 10a according to the invention is shown. As there can be no hole made in the enclosure (as this will affect the IP rating), it is desired to provide a portion of the lid 20 which allows for downward travel of approximately 1-2 mm to activate a push-button switch 16.
  • a switch portion 22 of the lid 20 is provided. At the switch portion 22, the thickness of the lid 20 is reduced such that the switch portion 22 can be deflected once pressure is applied to the external surface of the lid 20 in the region of the switch portion 22.
  • the reduced thickness may be provided during the moulding process for the housing, or after the moulding process, using any suitable machining procedure e.g. milling.
  • the area and thickness of the switch portion 22 is chosen to allow the switch portion 22 to deflect by the distance required to actuate a suitable pressure switch (e.g. 1-2mm).
  • Fig. 4 is taken through the switch 16 looking towards an end and Fig. 5 is taken through the switch 16, looking towards a side.
  • an electronic device 18 is positioned within the housing, enclosed by the base 12 and the lid 20.
  • a pressure sensitive switch 16 is positioned such that the switch head 16a is located beneath the switch portion 22 of the lid 20. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, a portion of the switch head 16a is received within the recess 23 provided in the inner surface of the lid 20 by the switch portion 22.
  • any text or information required on the housing may be implemented using standard screen-printing technology.

Abstract

A housing receives a device, the device having a pressure-actuated switch. The housing has a rigid body to enclose the device preventing the ingress of material to the interior of the housing. The housing body has a switch portion of a reduced thickness relative to the remainder of the housing body. The switch portion is integral to the main body and is located adjacent to the pressure- actuated switch of the device received within the housing body, such that the switch portion is operable to deflect when subjected to pressure applied to the external surface of the switch portion, allowing for the actuation of the switch received within the housing.

Description

A Device Housing
Filed of the Invention
This invention relates to a housing for a device, in particular a housing for an electronic device requiring a relatively high ingress protection level.
Background of the Invention
In general, many electronic products are housed in standard off-the-shelf plastic enclosures, as opposed to self-designed plastics. The plastic used is typically ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) or Polycarbonate. Due to particular safety level requirements, most of these enclosures are required to have a particular Ingress Protection classification (also called an International Protection rating) against the ingress of water and dust, with a rating of IP65 being typical for the safe operation of an electronic device.
Many devices also require the use of at least one push-button switch for actuation of the device, which must be able to be operated by the user when the enclosure is closed and sealed.
With reference to Fig. 1 , a typical housing 10 is shown, comprising a base 12 and a lid 14. As is standard, the housing material is made of sufficient thickness to allow little or no flexibility of the material, to provide a rigid structure to contain the device electronics, and to provide sufficient robustness against any possible physical damage during typical use of the device. Fig. 2 shows the base 12 of the housing 10 with the lid 14 removed showing the interior of the device. Here it can be seen that a push-button switch 16 is mounted on a PCB 18 holding the other electronics (not shown) of the unit.
A known solution to the problem of providing an accessible push-button switch while maintaining the required ingress protection level is to drill a hole in the lid 14 of the housing 10, above the switch 16. Then a Lexan label (or suitable flexible label) is provided over the lid 14, such that it covers the hole. The push-button switch 16 typically requires a downward movement of approximately 1-2 mm to activate. If the hole is large enough, and the Lexan label thin enough, the label will be flexible enough at this position to allow the 1 mm downward travel, thus allowing actuation of the switch 16.
The above Lexan label solution will be acceptable in an indoors environment, or in an outdoors environment which is not too harsh. In a harsh environment (e.g. salt exposure, UV-weathering, large temperature extremes), over time the Lexan label will tend to lift from the enclosure surface, and thereby violating the IP65 protection rating. Such known devices may be adapted for harsh environment use, e.g. through the use of additional components e.g. sealing boots, washer, panel bushes, etc. However, employing such components in the device leads to increased cost. Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a low-cost device housing that provides durable protection against the ingress of water or dust, while still allowing for easy mechanical activation of the switch device within the housing.
Summary of the Invention
Accordingly, there is provided a housing to receive a device, the device comprising a pressure- actuated switch, the housing comprising a rigid body to enclose the device preventing the ingress of material to the interior of the housing, characterised in that the housing body comprises a switch portion integral to the main body and located adjacent to the pressure-actuated switch to be received within the housing body, the switch portion being of a reduced thickness relative to the remainder of the housing body, such that the switch portion is operable to deflect when subjected to pressure applied to the external surface of the switch portion, allowing for the actuation of the switch received within the housing.
As the switch portion is formed integral to the housing body, there is no risk of the integrity of the housing being compromised due to environmental extremes.
Preferably, the switch portion comprises a recess provided on a portion of the interior surface of the housing body.
Preferably, at least a portion of the pressure-actuated switch is received within the recess.
As a portion of the switch is located closely adjacent to the switch portion of the housing body, a user is prevented from applying excessive pressure to the switch portion, which may result in damage to the housing.
Preferably, the housing body comprises a base portion and a lid portion.
Preferably, the housing further comprises a sealing member provided at the interface between the base portion and the lid portion.
There is also provided in combination a housing as aforesaid and a device located within the housing.
More particularly, there is provided an assembly comprising a device having a pressure-actuated switch accessible at the exterior thereof, and a housing comprising a rigid body which encloses the device preventing the ingress of material to the interior of the housing, wherein the housing body comprises a switch portion integral to the main body and wherein the pressure-actuated switch of the device is located adjacent the switch portion of the housing body, the switch portion being of a reduced thickness relative to the remainder of the housing body, such that the switch portion is operable to deflect when subjected to pressure applied to the external surface of the switch portion, allowing for the actuation of the pressure-actuated switch of the device located within the housing.
Further, preferably, the interior of the housing body is shaped to closely receive the device therein, such that the device is supported immovably within the housing.
The device is preferably an electronic device which is not moisture-proof or which is not moisture- resistant.
Detailed Description of the Invention
An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a known housing for a device; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the base portion of the housing of Fig. 1 ;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a lid portion of a housing according to the invention;
Fig. 4 is a first cross-sectional view of a housing according to the invention enclosing a device; and
Fig. 5 is a second cross-sectional view of a housing according to the invention enclosing a device, taken orthogonally to Fig. 4.
With reference to Fig. 3, the underside of a lid 20 for a housing 10a according to the invention is shown. As there can be no hole made in the enclosure (as this will affect the IP rating), it is desired to provide a portion of the lid 20 which allows for downward travel of approximately 1-2 mm to activate a push-button switch 16.
In order to provide such a flexible portion of the lid 20, a switch portion 22 of the lid 20 is provided. At the switch portion 22, the thickness of the lid 20 is reduced such that the switch portion 22 can be deflected once pressure is applied to the external surface of the lid 20 in the region of the switch portion 22.
The reduced thickness may be provided during the moulding process for the housing, or after the moulding process, using any suitable machining procedure e.g. milling. The area and thickness of the switch portion 22 is chosen to allow the switch portion 22 to deflect by the distance required to actuate a suitable pressure switch (e.g. 1-2mm).
In the cross-sectional views shown in Fig. 4 and 5, which are orthogonal to one another, Fig. 4 is taken through the switch 16 looking towards an end and Fig. 5 is taken through the switch 16, looking towards a side. During assembly, an electronic device 18 is positioned within the housing, enclosed by the base 12 and the lid 20. A pressure sensitive switch 16 is positioned such that the switch head 16a is located beneath the switch portion 22 of the lid 20. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, a portion of the switch head 16a is received within the recess 23 provided in the inner surface of the lid 20 by the switch portion 22.
In use, when a user applies pressure to the external surface of the housing at the switch portion 22 (indicated by the arrow in Fig. 4), the switch portion is deflected and acts upon the switch head 16a, actuating the switch 16 of the contained electronic device 18.
As the switch head 16a is positioned directly beneath the switch portion 22, a user is prevented from pressing the housing material too far, which may result in possible breakage or cracking of the housing 10a.
Instead of a Lexan label, any text or information required on the housing may be implemented using standard screen-printing technology.
The invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims:
1. A housing to receive a device, the device comprising a pressure-actuated switch, the housing comprising a rigid body to enclose the device preventing the ingress of material to the interior of the housing, characterised in that the housing body comprises a switch portion integral to the main body and located adjacent to the pressure-actuated switch to be received within the housing body, the switch portion being of a reduced thickness relative to the remainder of the housing body, such that the switch portion is operable to deflect when subjected to pressure applied to the external surface of the switch portion, allowing for the actuation of the switch received within the housing.
2. A housing as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the switch portion comprises a recess provided on a portion of the interior surface of the housing body.
3. A housing as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion of the pressure-actuated switch is received within the recess.
4. A housing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the housing body comprises a base portion and a lid portion.
5. A housing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the housing further comprises a sealing member provided at the interface between the base portion and the lid portion.
6. An assembly comprising a device having a pressure-actuated switch accessible at the exterior thereof, and a housing as claimed in any preceding claim which encloses the device.
7. An assembly according to claim 6, wherein the pressure-actuated switch of the device is located adjacent the switch portion of the housing body, such that the switch portion is operable to deflect when subjected to pressure applied to the external surface of the switch portion, allowing for the actuation of the pressure-actuated switch of the device located within the housing.
8. An assembly as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the interior of the housing body is shaped to closely receive the device therein, such that the device is supported immovably within the housing.
9. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 6-8, wherein the device is an electronic device which is not moisture-proof or which is not moisture-resistant.
10. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 6-9, wherein the pressure-actuated switch can be actuated to a depressed state, and wherein the switch is sufficiently close to the switch portion of the housing body that the switch portion can elastically deflect to actuate the switch.
PCT/EP2010/054239 2009-03-30 2010-03-30 A device housing WO2010112524A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB0905397.6A GB0905397D0 (en) 2009-03-30 2009-03-30 A device housing
GB0905397.6 2009-03-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2010112524A1 true WO2010112524A1 (en) 2010-10-07

Family

ID=40671911

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2010/054239 WO2010112524A1 (en) 2009-03-30 2010-03-30 A device housing

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB0905397D0 (en)
WO (1) WO2010112524A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2020263310A1 (en) 2019-06-28 2020-12-30 Weber-Stephen Products Llc Temperature probe hubs

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3638667A1 (en) * 1986-11-12 1988-05-19 Motsch Alfons Flat switch
DE19614297A1 (en) * 1996-04-11 1997-10-16 Abb Patent Gmbh Electric installation device
DE19701584A1 (en) * 1997-01-17 1998-07-23 Manfred Dipl Ing Heckner Safety switch esp for switching of machines in nutritional foods industry
EP1122753A2 (en) * 2000-01-31 2001-08-08 Basf Aktiengesellschaft Keyboard elements for mobile communication devices
WO2003044816A1 (en) * 2001-11-21 2003-05-30 Phonak Ag Switch cover

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3638667A1 (en) * 1986-11-12 1988-05-19 Motsch Alfons Flat switch
DE19614297A1 (en) * 1996-04-11 1997-10-16 Abb Patent Gmbh Electric installation device
DE19701584A1 (en) * 1997-01-17 1998-07-23 Manfred Dipl Ing Heckner Safety switch esp for switching of machines in nutritional foods industry
EP1122753A2 (en) * 2000-01-31 2001-08-08 Basf Aktiengesellschaft Keyboard elements for mobile communication devices
WO2003044816A1 (en) * 2001-11-21 2003-05-30 Phonak Ag Switch cover

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2020263310A1 (en) 2019-06-28 2020-12-30 Weber-Stephen Products Llc Temperature probe hubs
EP3990878A4 (en) * 2019-06-28 2023-08-23 Weber-Stephen Products LLC Temperature probe hubs

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0905397D0 (en) 2009-05-13

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US8446713B2 (en) Waterproof button and electronic device using the same
US7759592B2 (en) Seal for electrical switch pad
RU2497220C2 (en) Push switch
US20120019992A1 (en) Cover mechanism and electronic device using same
ATE364767T1 (en) HANDLE FOR DOORS OR FLAPS ON VEHICLES
US7754985B2 (en) Electronic switch assembly with configurable functionality
JP2009279226A (en) Controller for appliance
JP2008006046A (en) Laundry machine
US5760356A (en) Device assembly with sealed switch actuator interface
WO2010112524A1 (en) A device housing
TW201832632A (en) Waterproof structure and electronic device using same
US7518070B2 (en) Electrical switch
JP2009189678A (en) Operation display device
US20150213973A1 (en) Button assembly and electronic device with the same
JP4607697B2 (en) Waterproof pushbutton switch device
KR20220002026U (en) Waterproof switch assembly
CN111567152A (en) Device with electronics unit and housing
JP2005100674A (en) Moving contact body and remote-control transmitter using it
JP2009032536A (en) Vehicular switch
JP2001266695A (en) Operating panel
EP3499479A1 (en) An alarm peripheral with an anti-tampering arrangement and an anti-tampering arrangement
US8071899B2 (en) Electronic device with key assembly
JP2007263558A (en) Refrigerator
EP3528271B1 (en) Resin structure, electronic device, and production method for resin structure
KR200379622Y1 (en) Bezel Structure of Machine tool Operating Panel

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 10718897

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 10718897

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1