This application claims the benefit of priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-165100, 2011-165102, and 2011-165104, all of which are filed on Jul. 28, 2011, and all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirely.
The instant application relates to a water-proofing structure of an electronic device for outdoor use such as display device.
In recent years, digital signage monitors for outdoor use is increasing. In these monitors, the measures against heat and water are taken so that these monitors can be installed outdoors.
In these monitors is desired to arrange an operation button on the cabinet so that a user can make operate such as tuning a channel or volumes like they do in indoor use monitors. However, in the outdoor monitors, water may intrude inside the cabinet from the button portion.
In one general aspect, the instant application describes a button pad made by an elastic component, having a protruding portion provided in a position corresponding to one or more buttons and a plurality of annular ribs provided in the periphery of the single button.
In one general aspect, the instant application describes an electronic device, having a cabinet; a button provided on the cabinet; a switch being pushed by the button; a circuit board including the switch. The button pad which includes, (a) a button portion; (b) a peripheral portion which is in the surroundings of the button portion, and (c) a plurality of annular ribs provided on the button pad in a position corresponding to the periphery of the button, wherein, each of the rib is arranged so as to contact the inner surface of the cabinet.
The figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present teachings, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.
In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present teachings may be practiced without exemplary details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and/or circuitry have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present concepts. In exchange for the present disclosure herein, the Applicants desire all patent rights described in the claims. Therefore, the patent rights are not intended to be limited or restricted by the following detailed description and accompanying figures.
The cabinet 20 comprises a glass panel 22, side casing 24 and rear panel 26. The glass panel 22 covers the front side of the LCD panel unit 12. The side casing 24 is rectangular shaped and covers the side surface of the LCD panel unit 12 and the electronic-circuit unit 14. The rear panel 26 covers the side casing 24 from the back side. The glass panel 22 and the side casing 24 are connected with a gasket 28 in between. Simultaneously, the side casing 24 and the rear panel 26 are connected with a gasket 28 in between. Thereby, the inside of the cabinet 20 is waterproofed. In this LCD display device 10, the side casing 24 and the rear panel 26 are made by aluminum alloy. An operation unit, which is configured by push buttons 32 and 33, is provided in the right upper side of the rear panel 26 above the accommodation unit 100 which is covered by cover 140.
The button pad 30 is made by fabricating an elastic component such as rubber. In the button supporting plate 31, a plurality of first annular ribs 40 are formed so as to surround each of the buttons 32 and 33. In the outer circumference of the first ribs 40, second ribs 50 are formed. The second ribs 50 are provided so as to surround the outer edge of the button supporting plate 31 and to divide (or measure off) the neighboring first ribs 40.
The first rib 40 and the second rib 50 have height lower than the buttons 32 and 33. The first rib 40 and the second rib 50 are formed in the almost same height. Between the buttons and the first ribs 40, first grooves 38 are formed. Between the first ribs 40 and the second ribs 50, second grooves 39 are formed.
In the back side of the button pad 30, positioning protrusions 37 for positioning the button pad 30 is formed in two places. In order to prevent the button supporting plate 31 from being bent by the protrusion 37, the protrusion 37 is formed in the back side of the first rib 40 or the second rib 50.
Referring to
The button pad 30 is arranged to the cabinet 20 by (1) adjusting the position of the buttons 32 and 33 to the openings 27, (2) contacting the first ribs 40 and the second ribs 50 to the inner side of the rear panel 26, and (3) sandwiching the buttons between the rear panel 26 and a board 59. Therefore, even when water is invaded from a space between the button 32 and the openings 27 (or a space between the button 33 and opening 27), water does not pass over the first rib 40, and stays in the first groove 38 formed between the buttons and the first rib 40.
However, when the button moves up and down by the user's operation, the button pad may be bent and water may invade inside from this bent portion. In order to prevent this, the waterproofing structure is augmented by surrounding the button by a double-ringed rib in the button pad 30.
In detail, when the button 32 (or 33) is pushed too hard, the first rib 40 may be bent and water may pass over the first rib 40. However, since second rib 50 is formed outside the first rib 40 and is provided so as to contact the rear panel 26, water does not invade inside the cabinet 20. The water which passed over the first rib 40 stays inside the second groove 39. The water inside the grooves 38 and 39 evaporate as time elapses.
In the board 59, a plurality of openings 62 are provided in the position corresponding to the buttons 32 and 33, so that the movement of these buttons are not disturbed when operated by a user. Further, in the board 59. a plurality of positioning holes 64 are provided so that the protrusion 37 formed in the button pad 30 can be fit into. The board 59 can be attached to the rear panel 26 by screwing it to the rear panel 26.
In the inner side surface of the board 59, a circuit board 70 having switches 72 which are pushed by each buttons 32 or 33 are arranged. These push-type switches 72 are arranged in the position facing the button 33 or protrusion 35 of the button 32.
Instead of above examples, other configuration may be adopted. For instance, the second rib 50 (1) surrounds the button supporting plate 31, and (2) separates the neighboring first ribs 40. However, the second rib 50 may be provided such that (1) it surrounds the button supporting plate 31, (2) but not separating the first ribs 40. Or, the second rib 50 may be a rib which surrounds each of the first ribs 40.
The above implementation may be applied to an electronic device other than the LCD display 10. The button pad 30 may be arranged in a place other than the rear panel 26.
In the above example, the button 32 and 33 are waterproofed by a plurality of ribs 40 and 50. Further, the display device 10 has an accommodation unit 100 which accommodates a connector for electronic cables. As shown in
A removable cover 140 is attached by screws 150 to the accommodation unit 150. The connectors for connecting the cables are provided in the surface 101c or 101b. The surface 101c is the upper side inner wall of the accommodation unit 100. The surface 101b is a back wall of the accommodation unit 100.
The accommodation unit 100 is a casing which fits into an opening 29 provided in the rear panel 26, and has a peripheral wall 102 which is higher than rear panel 26. In the peripheral wall 102, a plurality of screw holes 104 for screwing the cover 140 by screw 150 are provided.
As shown in
The cross section of the first grooves 110 and 112 are semicircular shaped. The width of the grooves may vary depending on the width of the electronic cables 160 which are connected to the LCD display 100. For example, in
In the both end of the first groove 110 and 112, a cable holding protrusions 114 are provided such that they prolong toward the cover 140. The protrusions 114 are formed like a rib. The heights of the protrusions 140 are designed such that the top side of the protrusion 114 is located slightly lower than the cover 140.
In the cable passing surface 106 of the peripheral wall 102, a second groove 120 which crosses the first grooves 110 and 112 is provided. To the second groove 120, a first sealing component 122, such as urethane, is fitted so that this first sealing component 122 protrudes from the groove 120. When the cover 140 is covered, the first sealing component 122 contacts the second sealing component 147 (which is mentioned later) provided on the cover 140. Thereby, it can prevent water or dust from invading inside the accommodation unit 100 from the first grooves 110 or 112.
Further, as shown in
To the third groove 130, a rib 145 (which is described later) which is protruded from the cover 140 is fitted. The tip of this rib 145 presses the third sealing component 132, and thereby it can prevent an invasion of the water or dust into the accommodation unit 100.
The accommodation unit 100 is covered by the cover 140. As shown in
The horizontal wall 143 is provided such that it covers the outer side of the peripheral wall 102 of the accommodation unit 100. Among the wall 143, the portion which faces the first grooves 110 and 112 is concaved. In detail, concaves 144 which communicates the first grooves 110 (or 112) and the outside are formed. The concaves 144 are semicircular shaped, and by combining with semicircular first grooves 110 (or 112), circular openings for inserting electronic cables 160 are formed.
As shown in
Further, at the top plate 142, a rib 145 which contacts a third sealing component 132 which is inserted in the third groove 130 is formed. In this example, since a portion of the third sealing component 132 in the third groove 130 overlaps the second sealing component 147, the rib 145 is protruded along the second sealing component 147.
By screwing the cover 140 by screw 150, the first groove 110 (or 112) and the concave 144 forms a circular opening, and by contacting the first sealing component 122 and the second sealing component 147, a closed space is formed between the top plate 72 and the first groove 110 (or 112). Further, by fitting the rib 145 into the third groove 130, the tip of the rib 145 contacts the third sealing component 132. Thereby, the accommodation unit 100 can be prevented from an invasion of water or dust.
Electronic cables 160 such as a power cord, an antenna code, or an external apparatuses connecting cord can be connected in a state where the cover 140 is removed from the accommodation unit 100. The electronic cable 160 is connected to connector terminal provided in the surface 101b. The connected electronic cables 160 are drawn outside via first grooves 110 or 112. Here, it is necessary to bend these cables 160 in order to lead the cables 160 to these grooves. The cables 160 may be twisted at that time. The bent electronic cables 160 may repel due to its flexibility, and thus it is difficult to lead electronic cables 160 to the first grooves 110 or 112. However, according to the above example, since the protrusions 114 are formed in the both ends of the first grooves 110 (or 112) and the grooves can be formed deeper, it becomes easier to guide the electronic cables 160 to the first grooves 110 or 112. Thus, it can prevent the electronic cables 160 from falling out from the grooves 110 (or 112).
In the above structure, the electronic cables 160 can be fitted stably in the first grooves 110 or 112. Thus, it is not necessary to hold electronic cables 160 when the screwing the cover 140 by screw 150. Thus, it becomes easy to attach the cover 140.
By screwing the cover 140 by screw 150, as shown in
In the portion where the electronic cables 160 are not inserted, the first sealing component 122 and the second sealing component 147 are contacted each other directly. In the other three sides, the rib 145 of the cover 140 fits into the third grooves 130 and contacts the third sealing component 132, and thus, an invasion of the water or dust into the accommodation unit 100 is prevented.
As described above, by applying the different waterproofing structure for the buttons 32 (or 33), and the accommodation unit 100 accommodating the connector terminal for electronic cables, the waterproofing performance of the electronic device is improved.
That is, in the LCD display 10, while the waterproofing of the connector terminal for electronic cables 160 is realized by a rigid structure, the waterproofing of the buttons is realized by a simple first structure.
It is desired by some users to operate an outdoor-use display device using a remote controller as they do in the indoor-use displays. However, the photo sensor for detecting signals from the remote controller is usually provided in the casing of the display device. Thus it was necessary to waterproof the photo sensor.
The glass panel 22 and the side casing 24 are connected by a gasket 28. Simultaneously, the side casing 24 and the rear panel 26 are connected by the gasket 28. Thereby, a waterproofing structure 30 is formed inside the cabinet 20. In the side casing 24, ribs 29 for holding the gasket 28 are provided.
The display panel 13 and the glass panel 22 are integrated by a bonding technology.
LED 42 displays a power supplying state of the LCD display 10. The light receiving device 44 receives infrared rays from a remote control unit for operation of the LCD display 10. The illumination sensor 46 is for detecting the brightness of the surroundings and adjusting the luminosity of a display panel 13.
Each of the devices 42, 44, and 46 are arranged on a circuit board 48 and configures a device unit 90. The device unit 90 is connected to a LCD unit 12 and an electronic component unit 14 via a flexible substrate.
As shown in
In detail, as shown in
The frame 60 is consisted by an opaque resin, and as shown in
As shown in
In the lens unit 70, a plurality of lenses 72, 74 and 76, each of which fits into the openings 62, 64 and 66 respectively, are provided on the base 71. Each of the lenses is fabricated so that the side facing outside from the openings becomes a rough side. By this, the light coming from outside can be received by wide angle. Simultaneously, the light emitted from the LED 42 can be emitted from the display device 10 by wide angle. Here, the angle is shown by letter alpha in
In the LCD display 10, as shown in an arrow A in the
As shown in an arrow B in the
As shown in an arrow C in the
According to the above example, by arranging the devices 42, 44 and 46 inside the waterproofing structure 30, it is unnecessary to prepare a dedicated waterproofing structure for these devices. Thus, there is an advantage that it can suppress an increase in the number of components and cost.
The outdoor-use display devices tend to become larger than the indoor-use displays. Especially, when a metal cabinet is employed, its weight becomes very large. Thus, it is desired to prepare a grip in the cabinet so that it is easy for user to carry the display device. However, when a screw hole for attaching this grip is provided on the cabinet, water may invade inside from this portion. Hereafter, a waterproofing structure for this grip portion is explained.
Referring to
As shown in
In the outside of the gasket 28, screw holes 27 for attaching the grip 80 and screw holes 27a for attaching the rear panel 26 to the side casing 24 is provided near the edge portion of the rear panel 26.
To the screw holes 27, the grip 80 for carrying is screwed by screw 50. As shown in the figure, in the grip 80, a pair of screw holes 42 for screwing by screw 50 is provided in its left side and right side.
Thereby, as shown in
After the grip 80 is screwed by screw 50, the gasket 28 is sandwiched between the side casing 24 and the rear panel 26. Then, the screw holes 25 of the side casing 24 and the screw holes 27a of the rear panel 26 are aligned and screwed. Thereby, the rear panel 26 is connected with the side casing 24.
According to the above example, the screw holes 27 for attaching the grip 80 to the rear panel 26 and the screw holes 27a for attaching the rear panel 26 to the side casing 24 are provided outside the waterproofing structure 30. Thus, the waterproofing structure 30 is not deteriorated by the attachment of the grip 80. As a result, it is not necessary to prepare waterproofing gaskets for each of the screws 50 for attaching the grip 80 (typically the price of these gaskets are about several hundred Japanese yen, which is about a couple dollars for each), and thus it can reduce the number of the components or cost.
Further, the grip 80, to which the weight of the LCD display is applied, is attached outside of the waterproofing structure 30. Thereby, even when the screw is loosened because of the weight of the LCD display, the waterproofing performance is not deteriorated.
The attaching position for the grip 80 is not limited to the rear panel 26. The grip 80 may be attached to the side casing 24, as far as it is attached outside the waterproofing structure 30.
The present invention may be applied not only to above described LCD displays, but also to the plasma panel display or other electronic devices.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2011-165100 | Jul 2011 | JP | national |
2011-165102 | Jul 2011 | JP | national |
2011-165104 | Jul 2011 | JP | national |