WO2012002899A1

WO2012002899A1 - Casing for electronic products

Info

Publication number: WO2012002899A1
Application number: PCT/SE2011/050881
Authority: WO
Inventors: Conny HINDSTRÖM
Original assignee: Selab Ab
Priority date: 2010-07-01
Filing date: 2011-06-30
Publication date: 2012-01-05
Also published as: SE1050723A1; SE534500C2

Abstract

The invention relates to a casing for electronic products(1) intended to surround an electronic device(2) comprising a first and a second frame member(3, 4) which are interconnected. At least the first frame member(3) is connected to a first elastic membrane(6)which is arranged to cover an opening in the first frame member(3). The opening is preferably arranged lined up over a first display side(2a) of the electronic device. The first elastic membrane(6) comprises a first membrane flange (6a) around the membrane edge which is arranged between a first and a second press flange(3e, 4e) which extend from the first and the second frame members(3, 4). The characteristics of the invention are the first and the second frame members (3, 4) surrounded by a third frame member(5) which comprises a cut-out(8) that engages around the first and second press flanges(3e, 4e)of the first and the second frame members. Through this interaction the first membrane flange is compressed together between the first and the second frame member so that a waterproof and dustproof casing for electronic products is provided.

Description

CASING TOR ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS

Technical field

[0001] The pre sent invention relates to a waterproof casing for electronic products such as e.g., cell phones or handheld computers.

Background

[0002] The electronic apparatuses of today, such as cell phones, GPS:es and mini computers, are advanced and comprise lots of functions controlled by key boards or touch screens. All these electronics entails that the devices are sensitive to dust, moisture and protrusions.

[0003] There are already known solutions for protecting the devices which have the form of additional casings, which are arranged to surround the moisture- and impact sensitive electronics.

[0004] US2009080153A1 describes such an additional casing which consists of an upper and a lower hard casing partbetween which a flexible membrane or a touch screen protection is arranged to cover the key board or the touch screen of the device. Outside said hard shell is a softer, flexible and protective shell slipped on. A very accurate fit between the device and both the hard inner shell and the outer soft protective shell is demanded for this shell to be water proof. Particularly important is the press fit between the hard shell against the flexible membrane which gives a water proof interconnection.

[0005] Tb geta water proof shell each shell must therefore be specially adapted to each particular device. This entails an expensive and complicated product

[0006] In EP1583251A1 it is also known a water proof house intended to be used to a cell phone equipped with a camera. The cell phone is placed in a shell design comprising several shell parts sealed against each other. The display of the cell phone is covered by a water proof, transparent and elastic foil that allows use of the key board even under water.

[0007] Since this design comprises so many parts it demands several seals to become water proof. Moreover, the opening house is big and cumbersome to carry.

Summary of the invention

[0008] One object with the present invention is to provide a casing for electronic products which can be used to a plurality of different mo dels of electronic devices which is fully water proof and allows use of the device even under water. The casing shall be cheap and easy to produce and be easy for the user to mount on the device and easy to use.

[0009] The present invention relates to a casing for electronic products intended to surround an electronic device comprising a first and a second frame member which are interconnected to each other. At least the first frame member is connected to a first elastic membrane which is arranged to cover an opening in the first frame member. The opening is preferably arranged aligned over a first display side at the electronic device. The first elastic membrane comprises a first membrane flange around the membranes end which is arranged between a first and a second press flange which extend from the first and the second frame member. The characteristics of the invention is that the first and the second frame member are surrounded by a third feme member which comprises a cut out that grips around the first and second press flanges of the first and the second frame members. Through this joint action the flanges are pressed together between the first and the second frame member.

[0010] Through this design the membrane is used both as a protection for the device display and as a seal to prevent water and dust from entering the casing. When the first and the second feme flanges are pressed together, also the elastic membrane is pressed together and stops water from entering the casing. The third frame member both creates this compressive force and allows the water to get an extra long way into the inner parts of the casing. The casing may be water proof so that at least an IPS 7 -classification is possible. The design of the casing will also be simple and only a few parts are necessary, and these parts are cheap to produce as well.

[0011] In a first embodiment of the invention also the second frame member is interconnected to a second elastic membrane. The second elastic membrane comprises a second membrane flange around the edge of the membrane which bears against the press flanges of the second frame members.

[0012] ff also the second frame member is connected to a second elastic membrane, the entire electronic device is surrounded by the protective and sealing membrane, i.e., the device lies in a i sealed box of membrane material, ff also the second frame member comprises a central opening it is with a transparent membrane on both sides of the device possible to use more functions of the device, for example a camera. Moreover, the seal between frame members becomes further improved if the two membrane flanges bear against each other.

[0013] In an additional embodiment the outer end of the first and the second press flanges arranged is in a relation to press flanges mainly perpendicular protruding stop part

[0014] Ey arranging a stop part onto the press flanges, a third frame member is kept in place next to the first and the second frame member. Press flanges may also have a design so that they even without a third frame member locks in each other. They are held firmly in place when the third frame member is mounted. [0015] In one embodiment of a third frame member comprises two separate parts which are arranged to be pushed onto of the first and the second frame member first and second press flange.

[0016] I^" the third frame member comprises two separate parts they can be pushed over the press flanges from two directions in relation to the first and the second frame member. Since the third frame member has a recess which is adapted to the design of the press flanges, with or without the stop part, it provides an easy assembling of the casing. The two separate parts can be held in place by just the friction or they may be connected with a locking device of known kind when they have been pushed in place and bear against each other.

[0017] In a second embodiment of the invention, the third frame member comprises four separate spring parts which are arranged to be snapped onto the first and second press flange of the first and the second frame members.

[0018] With a spring part arranged locked around the press flanges at each edge side of the first and the second feme member the same compression is achieved of press flanges around the membrane flanges. Thus also with this embodiment of the invention a water proof interconnection of frame the members is created.

[0019] In yet another embodiment at least one of the firstor the second frame member comprises a protruding part which extends through an opening in the third frame member.

[0020] This protruding part may comprise a through opening or cut out in which for example a band or other holding device may be mounted. Since the holding device is attached directly in the protruding part of the first and/ or i the second frame member a stable interconnection is created that does not impair the water proof properties of the casing.

[0021] In yet another embodiment the firstand/ or the second elastic membrane comprises a mainly plan first base part with from its ends extending side parts which end with respective membrane flange which is mainly parallel to the planar first base part of the mambrane.

[0022] ff the elastic membrane(s) is/ are designed as an open holder with a base part and side parts the mounting of the casing around the device is facilitated since the device may be placed in the holder before the firstand the second frame member are joined together by means of the third frame member. The holder is preferably designed to the device but the dimensions do nothave to be exactbut the same casing may be used for several types of devices, lb make it possible to easily use the keyboard or touch screen the height of the side parts is preferably somewhat smaller than the height of the device so that the elastic membrane is kept stretched over the display.

[0023] In one preferred embodimentthe firstand/ or the second elastic membrane is made from silicone or another non-rigid plastic. The membrane preferably has a thickness of between 0.2 and 1.5 mm

[0024] Silicone is an elastic, water proof and scratch resistant material with many application areas. It is also possible to inject mould and join with a second material, such as different plastic materials. Silicone also transmit heat radiation from the fingers of the user, which makes it possible to use heat sensitive touch screens through the silicone membrane without impaired function. Additionally, sound waves pass virtually unaffected through a silicone membrane; thus the quality of the sound from bom speakers and microphone can be maintained. Even some non-rigid plastics have similar positive properties.

[0025] In yet another embodiment is me firstand/ or the second elastic membrane joined together with me firstand/ or the second frame member by moulding.

[0026] Ey moulding together the silicone membrane and the frame member a water proof and lasting joint is created between the parts. Of course it is also possible to use other non-destroying joint methods such as adhesive bonding, heat welding or similar.

[0027] In yetan embodiment is the firstand the second frame member are identical and made in the same tool.

[0028] ff the frame members are made identical the production of the product is facilitated and the expenses may be reduced since only one tool has to be designed. Also the production costs for a third frame member may be reduced due to that also this part may be produced as two identical frame members which are slipped onto the flanges of the jointed first and second frame members from opposite directions. These identical parts of a third frame member may be snapped together or kept in place by the friction between the parts.

[0029] All the above described embodiments or parts of an embodiment may be combined freely as long as the combination is not contradictious.

Short description of the drawings

[0030] The invention will now be described, as examples, with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:

[0031] Hg. 1 shows an exploded view of a casing for electronic products. [0032] Fig. 2a shows a side view of the inventive casing for electronic products.

[0033] ilg. 2b shows a sectional view of the inventive casing for electronic products.

[0034] ilg. 2c shows a detailed view of the locking function for the casing for electronic products, and

[0035] Pig. 3 shows a detailed view of the elastic membrane. Detailed description of the embodiments

[0036] A detailed description of the embodiments of the invention will follow. All examples should only be considered as parts of the general description and are therefore also possible to combine.

[0037] Figure 1 shows an exploded view of the inventive casing for electronic products 1. The casing for electronic products comprises a first, a second and a third frame member 3, 4, 5a, 5b.

[0038] The first and the second feme member 3, 4 are for example made of plastic material such as PA6, PA12 or PA66 and have an opening thatis surrounded by four end parts 3a-3d, 4a4d which create a framing of the opening. The plastic material in the frame should have a high temperature resistance to withstand subsequent heat treatment The openings are covered by a first respective a second membrane 6, 6' made of an elastic and transparent material such as for example silicone.

[0039] In one embodiment (not shown) only one of the first and the second frame member 3, 4 shows an opening. Thus this embodiment one of the frame members is designed as an open holder with four edge parts and a base part [0040] The third frame member 5 is in the embodiment according to figure 1 made of at least two parts 5 a, 5b which preferably are identical and have an U- foim The two third parts 5 a, 5b may also comprise a joint detail (not shown) which means that the parts can be snapped together and form a unit The third frame member 5 is preferably made of an impact resistible and robust material and has a grip friendly design, preferably with protrusions and/ or recesses.

[0041] The first and the second frame member 3, 4 show also a first and a second press flange 3e, 4e atthe firstand the second frame members edge parts. Ress flange 3e, 4e extends mainly perpendicular out fro m end parts 2a-2d, 3a-3d of the the frame members 3, 4. The firstand the second frame member 3, 4 may also comprise a joint mechanism 7 which for example comprises at least one projection 7a on one of the parts which is intended to cooperate with atleastone cut out 7b on the other part Referably the firstand the second frame member 3, 4 have two projections 7a and two cutouts 7b , respectively, which are placed on the opposite edge parts. Through cooperation of the projections 7a and the cutouts 7b it is ensured that the firstand the second frame member are kept together.

[0042] When the casing 1 for electronic products is assembled, which is shown in figure 2a-2c, the press flanges 3e and 4e on respective frame member 3, 4 are parallel to each other so that the feme members 3, 4 are in line with each other and form a unit Mounted around the unit comprising the connected first and second frame members 3, 4 is the third frame member 5 or parts 5a, 5b. The third frame member 5 comprises a cut out 8 that is designed to cooperate with the press flanges 3e, 4e. Referably, this cutout8 is arranged so at mounting the two third parts 5a, 5b are pushed in over the interconnected first and second feme members 3, 4 in sliding cooperation with the press flanges 3e, 4e. The sliding movement is performed preferably in a direction parallel to the second and fourth edge parts 3b, 3d; 4b, 4d of the firstand the second frame member until thatthe two third parts 5a, 5b bear against the firstand third end parts 3b, 3d; 4b, 4d of the firstand the second frame member 3, 4.

[0043] Figure 2a shows a side view of the casing for electronic products 1 according to the invention, arranged surrounding an electronic device 2 and figure 2b shows a section view through the casing for electronic products 1 surrounding the electronic device 2. Here an electronic device is shown in the form of a cell phone with a touch screen display 2a, but of course also other electronic devices are possible to surround with the casing.

[0044] Such as clearly shown in figure 2b the opening in the first frame member 3 is arranged in line with the display side 2 a of the device and the opening in the second frame member 4 is arranged in line with the second side 2b of the device. The openings are covered of the first respective the second elastic membrane 6, 6' which are attached to respective frame members edge parts 3a-3d, 4a4d. Thus the membrane 6, 6' functions both to cover the device to protect it against scratches and to seal the casing to prevent water from entering into the device.

[0045] freferably the press flange 3e, 4e of the firstand/ or the second feme member 3, 4are joined with the firstand/ or the second elastic membrane 6, 6' at a flange part 6a, 6a' arranged in the outer end of the membrane. The firstand/ or the second feme member may protrusions be joined with the first and/ or the second elastic membrane also ata side part 6b, 6b' of the membrane. The membrane 6 is thus joined with and bears against edge parts 3a-3d, 4a4d of the frame member and against the press flange 3e, 4e extending mainly perpendicular out from these edge parts 2a-2d, 3a-3d. The membrane 6 has then the form of an open container in which the electronic device 2 may rest The container comprises a base part, side parts and one from the side parts mainly perpendicular extending flange part 6a, see also figure 3.

[0046] The membrane 6 and the first and/ or the second frame member 3, 4 are preferably mo uldedtogether under supply of heat, which creates a water proof and a lasting joint between the parts. The membrane 6 is preferably such that it can attach to the frame without extra adhesive means. Thus, at a certain temperature, preferably 140-180 degrees C, a bound is formed between the frame and the membrane 6 that is water proof. Of course it is also possible to glue or otherwise join these parts, lis also possible to create a sealed joint only via the press forces from the press flanges.

[0047] When the casing is mounted the membrane flange 6a of the elastic membrane 6 is arranged between first and second press flange 3e, 4e of the frame members 3, 4. This is clearly shown in figure 2c, which shows a detailed view of the locking function which ensures that the casing for electronic products is water proof.

[0048] In an outer end of the first and the second press flange 3e, 4e there is arranged an, in relation to the press flange 3e, 4e mainly perpendicular, protruding stop part9a, 9b. This stop partensures thatthe third frame member 5 is held in place in the first and the second frame member 3, 4. The recess 8 of the third frame member 5 is adapted to the design of the press flanges, inclusive, or exclusive of stop part 9a, 9b. This stop part 9a, 9b may have the shape of a straight flange, a half- or quartser cylinder or other design which has an extension that at least partly is cross-directed to the press flange so thatthe third frame member 5 is kept in place in and mainly abuttingtthe first and the second frame member 3, 4. The stop part 9a, 9b does nothave to be arranged along the entire press flanges 3e, 4e but may be arranged only at a portion of this. In this first embodiment there are no stop parts 9a, 9b firstand third sides 3a, 3c, 4a, 4c, of the on the firstand the second frame member i.e., its short side.

[0049] In another embodiment (not shown ) of the invention the third frame member 5 is made of a resilient material so it is possible to snap around the press flanges 3e, 4e of the firstand the second feme member and the stop parts 9a, 9b. f eferably the third frame member 5 comprises four separate parts which

correspond to the firstand the second feme members 3, 4 end sides 3a-3d; 4a4d.

[0050] In the embodimentof the invention as shown in figure 1 and 2a atleast one of the first or the second feme member 3, 4 comprise a protruding part 10 which extends through a cut out 11 in the third frame member 5. This protruding part 10 may comprise a through hole 10a or cut out in which for example a band or other holding device may be mounted.

[0051] iigure 3 shows the elastic the membrane which is designed as an open holder with a mainly planar first base part 6b with from its edges extending side parts 6c which end with respective membrane flange 6a which is mainly parallel to planar first base part 6b of the membranes. However, since the membrane 6 is elastic it may also have the shape of a plane sheet, (not shown). When the electronic device 2 is placed between the frame members 3, 4 the plane membrane is pressed outwards and takes the shape after shape of the devices 2.

[0052] The membrane 6 is preferably made of transparent silicone with a thickness of between 0.2 and 1.5 mm The container shape of the membrane 6 may be accomplished through compression moulding, injection moulding or through folding and jointing of a planar sheet of silicone. The membrane 6 may also be made of some kind of thermo plastic or non-rigid plastic, for example ΊΡΕ

Claims

CIAJMS

1. A casing (1) for electronic products intended to surround an electronic device (2) and comprising a first and a second frame member (3, 4) which are inter connected wherein at least the first frame member (3) is connected to a first elastic membrane (6) which is arranged to cover an opening in the first frame member (3) and wherein the firstelastic membrane (6) comprises a first membrane flange (6a) at the edge of the membrane which is arranged between a first and a second press flange (3e, 4e) which extend from the firstand the second feme member (3, 4) characterized in that the firstand the second frame member (3, 4) are surrounded by a third frame member (5) which comprises a cut-out (8) which grips around the firstand second press flanges (3e, 4e) of the firstand the second frame members (3, 4).

2. The casing (1) according to claim 1, wherein the second frame member (4) is connected to a second elastic membrane (6') and wherein the second elastic membrane (6') comprises a second membrane flange (6a') around the edge of the membrane which bear against the press flange (4e) of the second frame member (4).

3. The casing (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein at an outer end of the first and the second press flange (3e, 4e) a mainly perpendicular protruding stop part (9) is arranged in relation to the press flange (3e, 4e).

4. The casing (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the third frame member (5) comprises two separate parts (5a, 5b) which are arranged to be pushed onto the firstand second press flanges (3e, 4e) of the firstand the second frame member (3, 4).

5. The casing (1) according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the third frame member (5) comprises four separate spring parts which are arranged to be snapped onto the first and second press flanges (3e, 4e) of the first and the second frame member (3, 4).

6. The casing (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first or the second feme member (3, 4) comprises a protruding part (10) which extends through a opening (11) in the third frame member (5).

7. The casing (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and/ or the second elastic membrane (6, 6') comprises a mainly planar first base part(6b, 6b') with from its peripheral edges extending side parts (6c, 6c') which end with respective membrane flange (6a, 6a') which is mainly parallel to the planar first base part(6b, 6b') of the membrane.

8. The casing (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and/ or the second elastic membrane (6, 6') is made from silicone.

9. The casing (1) according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the first and/ or the second elastic membrane (6, 6') is made from non-rigid plastic.

10. The casing (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the first and/ or the second elastic membrane (6, 6') is joined together with the first and/ or the second frame member (2, 3) by casting.

11. The casing (1) according to any of the preceding claims, where the first and the second feme member (2, 3) are identical and produced in the same tool.