WO2016093790A1

WO2016093790A1 - Electronic device including first and second cover members coupled to each other by a partial vacuum

Info

Publication number: WO2016093790A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/068994
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robin T CASTELL
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L. P.
Priority date: 2014-12-08
Filing date: 2014-12-08
Publication date: 2016-06-16

Abstract

An example electronic device includes a first cover member, a second cover member, and a valve. The second cover member is coupled to the first cover member to form an internal chamber there between. The valve is disposed on the first cover member. The valve selectively transports air between the internal chamber and atmosphere to create a partial vacuum within the internal chamber. The partial vacuum seals the first cover member and the second cover member to each other.

Description

ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING FIRST AND SECOND COVER

MEMBERS COUPLED TO EACH OTHER BY A PARTIAL VACUUM

BACKGROUND

[0001] Electronic devices include enclosures. Enclosures include multiple members fastened to each other. The enclosure may be held by a user in operating the electronic device such as mobile computing devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] Non-limiting examples are described in the following description, read with reference to the figures attached hereto and do not limit the scope of the claims. Dimensions of components and features illustrated in the figures are chosen primarily for convenience and clarity of presentation and are not necessarily to scale. Referring to the attached figures:

[0003] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device according to an example.

[0004] FIG. 2 Is a schematic view illustrating an electronic device in a disassembled state according to an example.

[0006] FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating the electronic device of FIG. 2 in an assembled state according to an example.

[0006] FIG.4 is an exploded view illustrating an engagement of a respective assistant member with a corresponding assistant receiving region of the electronic device of FIG. 3 according to an example. [0007] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a computing device according to an example.

[0008] FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a computing device according to an example.

[0009] FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method of forming a computing device according to an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Electronic devices include enclosures having multiple enclosure members fastened to each other. The enclosure members may include fasteners such as screws, latches, snaps, and the like, to seal the enclosure members to each other to form an enclosure. The fasteners apply an amount of pressure to the enclosure members to seal them to each other. Such fasteners and corresponding bosses to receive the fasteners, take up valuable space of the enclosure. Further, the fasteners may be misused, aesthetically unpieasing, increase assembly time, and increase assembly cost. Such fasteners may also be susceptible to having uneven torque applied thereto.

[0011] In examples, an electronic device includes a first cover member, a second cover member, and a valve. The second cover member couples to the first cover member to form an internal chamber there between. The valve is disposed on the first cover member. The valve selectively transports air between the internal chamber and atmosphere to create a partial vacuum within the interna! chamber. The partial vacuum seals the first cover member and the second cover member to each other. Thus, the respective cover members may be firmly secured and held towards each other by atmospheric pressure. Further, the partial vacuum ensures even force is applied to the enclosure in sealing the first and second cover members with respect to each other.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device according to an example. Referring to FIG. 1 , an electronic device 100 includes a first cover member 10, a second cover member 11, and a valve 12. The second cover member 11 couples to the first cover member 10 to form an internal chamber 13 there between. In some examples, the infernal chamber 13, may include electronic components to provide the functionality of the electronic device 100. The valve 12 is disposed on the first cover member 10. The valve 12 selectively transports air between the internal chamber 13 and atmosphere to create a partial vacuum within the internal chamber 13.

[0013] For example, an air flow device may connect to the valve and draw air from the internal chamber 13 through the valve 12 to establish a partial vacuum therein. A partial vacuum is a space containing a gas where a pressure of the gas is lower than atmospheric pressure. That is. the partial vacuum is a region of low pressure relative to the external atmospheric pressure. For example, air may be pumped out from the region to achieve a low pressure therein. Additionally, in some examples, a low pressure inert gas may replace air in the region to achieve a low pressure region and provide other benefits such as reducing corrosion therein.

[0014] The partial vacuum seals the first cover member 10 and the second cover member 11 to each other. That is, the first and second cover member 10 and 11 are forced together and maintain a coupled relationship to form an enclosure due to the partial vacuum within the internal chamber 13. For example, the partial vacuum pulls the first and second cover members 10 and 11 toward each other with an even force to firmly secure them with respect to each other.

(0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating an electronic device in a disassembled state according to an example. FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating the electronic device of FIG.2 in an assembled state according to an example. FIG.4 is an exploded view illustrating an engagement of a respective assistant member with a corresponding assistant receiving region of the electronic device of FIG. 3 according to an example. The electronic device 200 may include the first cover member 10, the second cover member 11 , and the valve 12 as previously described with respect to the electronic device 100 of FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in some examples, the electronic device 200 includes a first cover member 10, a second cover member 11 , a varve 12, a gasket 24, a plurality of assistant members 25, and a plurality of assistant receiving regions 26.

[0016] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in some examples, the second cover member 11 couples to the first cover member 10 to form an internal chamber 13 there between. In some examples, the internal chamber 13 may include electronic components 22 to provide the functionality of the electronic device 100. The partial vacuum in the internal chamber 13 may also reduce oxidation of the electronic components therein and reduce dust accumulation, moisture, or other environmental contamination effects.

[0017] The valve 12 is disposed on the first cover member 10 to selectively transport air between the internal chamber 13 and atmosphere. The transport of air through the valve 12. for example, creates a partial vacuum within tiie internal chamber 13 to seal the first cover member 10 and the second cover member 11 to each other, in some examples, the gasket 24 is disposed between the first cover member 10 and the second cover member 11 to facilitate the sealing there between. Alternatively, in some examples, at least one of the first cover member 10 and the second cover member 11 includes a sealing surface to mate with another of the first cover member 10 and file second cover member 11. In some examples, the first cover member 10 and fiie second cover member 11 form an enclosure for a tablet computing device.

[0018] Referring to FIGS.2 and 3, in some examples, file internal chamber 13 is pressurized to enable fiie first cover member 10 and the second cover member 11 to seal to each other without fasteners connecting the first cover member 10 to the second cover member 11. That is, the partial vacuum provides sufficient pressure to independently seal and hold together the first and second cover members 10 and 11, rather than using fasteners therefor.

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 2-4, in some examples, a plurality of assistant members 25 are disposed on at least one of the first cover member 10 and tiie second cover member 11 to correctly align the first cover member 10 with the second cover member 11. The assistant members 25 also maintain the first cover member 10 and the second cover member 11 proximate to each other in an event of a loss of partial vacuum. The assistant receiving regions 26 corresponding to the assistant members 25 are disposed on the other of the first cover member 10 and the second cover member 11. Each respective assistant receiving region 26 engages and guides the corresponding assistant member 25 to aiign the first cover member 10 and the second cover member 11 to be sealed together in an accurate manner by the partial vacuum. Further, the engagement of the respective assistant receiving regions 26 and the corresponding assistant members 25 may hold the first and second cover members 10 and 11 proximate to each other if the sealing mere between is broken.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a computing device according to an example. Referring to FIG.5, a computing device 500 includes a first cover member 10, a second cover member 11 , an internal air flow device 56, and a switch 57. The second cover member 11 is coupled to the first cover member 10 to form an internal chamber 13 there between. In some examples, the internal chamber 13 may include electronic components to provide the functionality of the computing device 100. The internal air flow device 56 is disposed within the internal chamber 13 to create a partial vacuum therein. The internal air flow device 56 may include an air pump, and the like.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 5, the partial vacuum seats the first cover member 10 and the second cover member 11 to each other. That is, the first and second cover members 10 and 11 are forced toward each other by the partial vacuum to form an enclosure. The partial vacuum also maintains the sealing of the first and second cover members 10 and 11 with respect to each other. The switch 57 is disposed on the first cover member 10 or the second cover member 11 to activate the air flow device 56 to create the partial vacuum within the internal chamber 13. For example, the switch 57 may be pressed on to turn on the internal air flow device 56.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a computing device according to an example. The computing device 600 may include the first cover member 10, the second cover member 11, the internal air flow device 56, and the switch 57 previously described with respect to the computing device 500 of FIG. 4. Referring to FIG.6, in some examples, the computing device 600 includes a first cover member 10, a second cover member 11 , a gasket 24, an internal air flow device 56, a switch 57. and a pressure release port 68.

[0023] Referring to FIG.6, in some examples, the second cover member 11 is coupled to the first cover member 10 to form an internal chamber 13 there between. In some examples, the internal chamber 13 may include electronic components to provide the functionality of the computing device 600. The internal air flow device 56 is disposed within the internal chamber 13 to create a partial vacuum therein to seal the first cover member 10 and the second cover member 11 to each other. That is, the first and second cover member 10 and 11 are forced toward each other by the partial vacuum to form a computing device enclosure. The partial vacuum also maintains the sealing of the first and second cover members 10 and 11 to each other. The switch 57 is disposed on the first cover member 10 or the second cover member 11 to activate the internal air flow device 56 to create the partial vacuum within the internal chamber 13.

[0024] Referring to FIG.6, in some examples, the gasket 24 is disposed between the first cover member 10 and the second cover member 11. The gasket 24, for example, may facilitate the sealing between the first and second cover members 10 and 11 each other. The internal air flow device 56 includes a miniature vacuum pump or a micro machine vacuum pump, and the like. The pressure release port 68 is disposed on the first cover member 10 or the second cover member 11. The pressure release port 68 selectively releases the partial vacuum from the internal chamber 13. For example, a user may activate the pressure release port 68 to enable the first cover member 10 and the second cover member 11 to be removed from each other. For example, the first and second cover members 10 and 11 may be

disassembled to access the interior of the computing device 600 for repairs, and the like. In some examples, the internal air flow device 56 also operates to restore the partial vacuum in the internal chamber 13 in response to a determination of a loss of vacuum pressure. Further, in some examples, the partial vacuum restore function may be configurable and/or selectively enabled/disabled.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method of forming a computing device according to an example, in some examples, the modules, assemblies, and the like, previously discussed with respect to FIGS.1-6 may be used to implement the method of forming the computing device 500 and 600 of FIGS. 5-6. In block S710, a first cover member including a valve thereon is placed against a second cover member to form an internal chamber there between. In block S711 , an air flow device is connected to the valve selectively connecting the internal chamber to atmosphere. In block S712, the air flow device is activated by a switch. In block S713, air within the internal chamber is drawn through the valve by the air flow device to create a partial vacuum within the internal chamber to cause the first cover member to seal to the second cover member. For example, the partial vacuum is provided by adding a low pressure inert gas within the internal chamber. Further, an airtight and water-tight seal between the first cover member and the second cover member may be provided. In some examples, the method may also include placing a gasket between the first cover member and the second cover member.

[0026] It is to be understood that the flowchart of FIG. 7 illustrates architecture, functionality, and/or operation of examples of the present disclosure, if embodied in software, each block may represent a module, segment, or portion of code that includes one or more executable instructions to Implement the specified logical functton(s). If embodied in hardware, each block may represent a circuit or a number of interconnected circuits to implement the specified logical function(s). Although the flowchart of FIG. 7 illustrates a specific order of execution, the order of execution may differ from that which is depicted. For example, the order of execution of two or more blocks may be rearranged relative to the order illustrated . Also, two or more blocks illustrated in succession in FIG.7 may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence. All such variations are within the scope of the present disclosure. (0027] The present disclosure has been described using non-limiting detailed descriptions of examples thereof that are not intended to limit the scope of the general inventive concept. It should be understood that features and/or operations described with respect to one example may be used with other examples and that not all examples have all of the features and/or operations illustrated in a particular figure or described with respect to one of the examples. Variations of examples described will occur to persons of the art. Furthermore, the terms "comprise," "include," "have" and their conjugates, shall mean, when used in the disclosure and/or claims, Including but not necessarily limited to."

[0028] It is noted mat some of the above described examples may include structure, acts or details of structures and acts that may not be essential to the general inventive concept and which are described for illustrative purposes. Structure and acts described herein are replaceable by equivalents, which perform the same function, even if the structure or acts are different, as known in the art. Therefore, the scope of the general inventive concept is limited only by the elements and limitations as used in the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a first cover member;

a second cover member to couple to the first cover member to form an internal chamber there between; and

a valve disposed on the first cover member, the valve is to selectively transport air between the internal chamber and atmosphere to create a partial vacuum within the interna! chamber to sea! the first cover member and the second cover member to each other.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a gasket disposed between the first cover member and the second cover member.

3. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first cover member and the second cover member includes a sealing surface to mate with another of the first cover member and the second cover member.

4. The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a plurality of assistant members disposed on at least one of the first cover member and the second cover member to correctly align the first cover member with the second cover member: and

wherein the assistant members are to maintain the first cover member and the second cover member proximate to each other in an event of a loss of the partial vacuum.

5. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein a low pressure inert gas is disposed in the interna! chamber to create a partial vacuum therein to enable the first cover member and the second cover member to sea! to each other.

6. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the internal chamber is pressurized to enable the first cover member and the second cover member to seal to each other independent of fasteners connecting the first cover member to the second cover member.

7. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the first cover member and the second cover member form an enclosure for a tablet computing device.

8. A computing device, comprising:

a first cover member;

a second cover member coupled to the first cover member to form an internal chamber there between;

an air flow device disposed within the internal chamber to create a partial vacuum therein to seal the first cover member and the second cover member to each other; and

a switch disposed on one of the first cover member and the second cover member to activate the air flow device to create the partial vacuum within the internal chamber.

9. The computing device of claim 8, further comprising:

a gasket disposed between the first cover member and the second cover member.

10. The computing device of claim 8, wherein the air flow device comprises:

one of a miniature vacuum pump and a micro machine vacuum pump.

11. The computing device of claim 8, further comprises:

a pressure release port disposed on one of the first cover member and the second cover member to release the partial vacuum from the internal chamber.

12. The computing device of claim 8, wherein the internal vacuum pump is to operate to restore the partial vacuum in die internal chamber in response to a determination of a loss of vacuum pressure.

13. A method of forming a computing device, the method comprising: placing a first cover member including a valve thereon against a second cover member to form an interna! chamber there between;

connecting an air flow device to the valve selectively connecting the internal chamber to atmosphere;

activating the air flow device by a switch; and

drawing air within the internal chamber through the valve by the air flow device to create a partial vacuum within the internal chamber to cause the first cover member to sea! to the second cover member.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

placing a gasket between the first cover member and the second cover member.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the drawing air within the interna! chamber through the va!ve by the air flow device to create a partial vacuum within the internal chamber to cause the first cover member to seal to the second cover member further comprises:

establishing the partial vacuum by adding a low pressure inert gas within the interna! chamber.