Patent Grant
8158899
The present invention is directed to a waterproof operating device having superior resistance to water pressure. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a waterproof operating device for use in underwater electronic devices.
Electronic devices designed for underwater use are generally known. Examples of such devices include cameras, watches, computers, hand lights, etc. Often, underwater electronic devices are equipped with one or more buttons for actuation of one or more corresponding switch elements in order to initiate the desired operations. To protect the switch elements from water damage, underwater electronic devices must be equipped with a waterproof seal. Such a waterproof seal is typically achieved by surrounding a portion of the shaft of each button by an O-ring. However, the necessary installation of an O-ring for each button results increased manufacture costs and delay. Also, O-rings are susceptible to failure due to contamination that may be caused, for example, by suspended particulates in the water and by the build-up of salt in the O-rings.
Underwater electronic devices must also be equipped with a means to prevent unintentional depression of the buttons and unintentional actuation of the corresponding switch elements. Specifically, each button must generate sufficient spring force to resist water pressure from unintentionally depressing the buttons. The requisite spring force for each button is typically achieved in one of two ways: the electronic device may be filled with a viscous fluid, such as silicone oil, or, alternatively, each button maybe equipped with a compression spring. However, the conventional configuration of underwater electronic devices cannot resist water pressure up to great depths in water without actuation of the switch elements.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a waterproof operating device that can withstand water pressure exerted upon buttons up to much greater depths without actuation of the switch elements. It would also be desirable to provide a simpler and more efficient mechanism for attaining a waterproof seal for such operating devices to be utilized in electronic devices designed for underwater use. It is further desirable to provide a simpler waterproof operating device that is not adversely affected by contamination present in an underwater environment.
Briefly stated, the present invention is directed to a waterproof operating device including a pressure resistant housing, a cover plate, an elastic member, at least one button, and at least one switch element located within the housing. The pressure resistant housing includes a support surface with at least one opening formed therethrough. The cover plate is positioned over the support surface and has at least one opening formed therethrough located over the at least one opening formed through the support surface. The elastic member is located between the support surface and the cover plate and has a first major surface in direct contact with the cover plate, a second major surface opposite the first major surface in direct contact with the support surface, and at least one protrusion extending from the second major surface and through the at least one opening through the support surface. The protrusion includes an open end at the first major surface aligned with the at least one opening through the cover plate, an opposing closed end and a tubular wall. The tubular wall extends between the second major surface and the opposing closed end and passes through the at least one opening in the support surface. The elastic member has a thickness from the protrusion radially outward all around the protrusion, such that the first major surface is maintained in continuous direct contact with the cover plate and the second major surface is maintained in continuous direct contact with the support surface from the at least one opening through the support surface receiving the protrusion and the button and the at least one opening through the cover plate outward at least beyond an area covered by the head portion of the button. The at least one button has a head portion and a shaft portion. A majority of an entire length of the shaft portion is received within the protrusion of the elastic member by a close-fitting relationship. A distal tip of the shaft portion engages the closed end of the protrusion, wherein the protrusion of the elastic member is stretched in a direction parallel to a tubular length of the protrusion with the button being depressed. The at least one switch element is actuated by the closed end of the protrusion of the elastic member with the button sufficiently depressed.
The following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings an embodiment which is presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
In the drawings:
Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only, and is not limiting. The words “right,” “left,” “upper,” and “lower” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the waterproof operating device and designated parts thereof. Additionally, the word “a” as used in the specification means “at least one.” The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.
Referring to
The housing 12 includes a support surface 20, which is inelastic and, more preferably, rigid. The housing 12 is a pressure resistant housing and is preferably may be made of, for example, a polycarbonate. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the housing 12 may be made of any appropriate material for underwater use, such as stainless steel. An elastomeric coating may optionally be applied to the housing 12 for both abrasion and impact resistance purposes and to increase the aesthetic appeal of the housing 12. The support surface 20 has at least one opening 22 formed therethrough and, more preferably, has a plurality of openings 22 formed therethrough. The opening 22 extends through the entire thickness of the support surface 20 and, preferably, is generally cylindrical in shape. However, the opening 22 may be of any appropriate shape, such as ovular or elliptical.
The cover plate 14 is inelastic and more preferably rigid, and may be made of, for example, aluminum, stainless steel or a polymeric material. Preferably, the cover plate 14 is made of a polycarbonate material. The cover plate 14 preferably includes at least one raised cylindrical section 15 which includes a depression or well 38 formed therein. Preferably, the well has a height of at least 0.080 inches. More preferably, the cover plate 14 includes a plurality of cylindrical sections 15 and corresponding wells 38 formed therein.
Referring to
Referring to
Each protrusion 30 includes an open end 30a at the first major surface 26 and an opposing closed end 30b. More particularly, the open end 30a of each protrusion extends through the thickness of the elastic member and is generally aligned with the at least one opening 24 formed through the cover plate 14. A tubular wall 32 of the protrusion 30 extends between the second major surface 28 of the elastic member 16 and the closed end 30b of the protrusion 30. Accordingly, the protrusion 30 has a generally cylindrical shape and a recess formed by the tubular wall 32 between the open end 30a and the distal and opposing closed end 30b is configured to receive an object.
The diameter of the opening 22 in the support surface 20 is preferably just slightly larger than that of the tubular wall 32 of the protrusion 30 for ease of assembly, but may, in fact, be equal to or even slightly smaller that that of the tubular wall 32, for better sealing. As such, in the assembled configuration with the elastic member 16 positioned between the cover plate 14 and the support surface 20, the tubular wall 32 is of a sufficient size to pass through the opening 22 in the support surface 20 (see
The elastic member 16 has a thickness from the open end 30a of each protrusion 30 radially outward all around the protrusion 30 such that the first major surface 26 is maintained in continuous direct contact with the cover plate 14 and the second major surface 28 is maintained in continuous direct contact with the support surface 20. Accordingly, the elastic member 16 is maintained between and in continuous direct contact with the cover plate 14 and the support surface 20 from the protrusion 30 outward by a close-fitting relationship. Essentially, the elastic member 16 is sandwiched between the cover plate 14 and support surface 20, such that direct contact is maintained over the entire overlapping areas of the three components.
Where the elastic member 16 includes a plurality of protrusions 30, the thickness of the elastic member 16 between the first and second major surfaces 26 and 28, respectively, preferably is uniform (i.e. at least essentially constant) between at least one adjoining pair of the plurality of the protrusions and, more preferably, between each adjoining pair of the plurality of protrusions 30. Accordingly, in the assembled configuration, the first major surface 26 of the elastic member 16 (where the elastic member 16 is present) is in continuous direct contact with the cover plate 14 between adjoining pairs of openings 24 and more preferably, everywhere the elastic member 16 is overlapped by the cover plate 14. Similarly, the second major surface 28 of the elastic member 16 (where the elastic member 16 is present) is in continuous direct contact with the support surface 20 between adjoining pairs of openings 22 and more preferably, everywhere the elastic member 16 overlaps the support surface 20. Because the elastic member 16 is compressed and retained tightly between the cover plate 14 and the support surface 20, the elastic member 16 is not further stretchable between the first and second major surfaces 26 and 28, respectively. Thus, a waterproof seal is achieved around the openings 22, 24 and the protrusion 30.
Referring to
In an alternative embodiment, shown in
Referring to
The waterproof operating device 10 further includes at least one button 18 and, more typically, a plurality of buttons 18. Each button 18 includes a head portion 34 and a shaft portion 36. In the assembled configuration, the head portion 34 of the button 18 is received within the corresponding well 38 of the cover plate 14 with a radial clearance 50 being provided between a radial periphery 34c of the head portion 34 and an inner wall 38b of the corresponding well 38. The clearance 50 allows water to penetrate under the head portion 34 of the button 18, thereby reducing the amount of water pressure that would typically be exerted on the head portion 34, and allowing water pressure to be directly exerted on the shaft portion 36 the button 18 instead. The well 38 provides support for the button 18, such that the button 18 does not move from side to side or lean on one side while the button 18 is being depressed, which could cause binding or pinching of the elastic member 16.
A first major surface 34a of the head portion 34 is provided for contact by a user. The first major surface 34a faces away from the well 38. A second major surface 34b is also provided opposite the first major surface 34a and facing the cover plate 14. The user depresses the button 18 by contacting the first major surface 34a and applying force to the head portion 34 to move the button 18 and to initiate a desired operation. However, movement of the button 18 may be limited by a bottom or closed end 38a of the well 38. More specifically, when the button 18 is depressed, the head portion 34 may be permitted to contact and be stopped by a closed end of the well 38 in the cover plate 14. Accordingly, the button 18 can only move the limited distance of approximately 0.080 inches. Thus, there is essentially a gap of a depth of 0.080 inches between the second major surface 34b of the head portion 34 and the closed end of the well 38. The well 38 serves as a protective ring that covers the gap, so that a user will not be able to pry the button 18 out of the cover plate 14.
The shaft portion 36 of the button 18 extends through the opening 24 in the cover plate 14, and at least a portion of the length of the shaft portion 36 is received within the protrusion 30 of the elastic member 16 by a close-fitting relationship, such that a distal tip 36a of the shaft portion 36 engages the closed end 30b of the protrusion 30. Preferably, a majority of the entire length of the shaft portion 36 is received within the protrusion 30. The close-fitting relationship is achieved because the elasticity of the protrusion 30 enables the recess formed between the open end 30a and the closed end 30b to conform to the size, and more particularly the diameter, of the shaft portion 36 received therein. The diameter of the shaft portion 36 is generally substantially smaller than a diameter of the head portion 34.
The distal tip 36a of the shaft portion 36 comprises an elongated body 44 and a flange 46 (see
Movement of the button 18 will result in stretching of the protrusion 30. Specifically, when the button 18 is depressed, the protrusion 30 of the elastic member 16 is stretched in a direction parallel to a tubular length L of the protrusion 30, such that the distal closed end 30b of the protrusion 30 moves in the direction parallel to the tubular length L. The elastic member 16 is maintained in continuous and direct contact with the cover plate 14 and the support surface 20 from the at least one opening 22 formed through the support surface 20, which receives the protrusion 30, and the at least one opening 24 formed through the cover plate 14 outward at least beyond an area covered by the head portion 34 of each button 18
Where the device 10 includes a plurality of buttons 18, the head portion 34 of each button 18 is received within a corresponding well 38, spaced apart from the inner wall 38b of the well 38, and a majority of the entire length of the shaft portion 36 of each button 18 is received within a corresponding protrusion 30 of the elastic member 16 by a close-fitting relationship. Also, depression of one button 18 of the plurality of buttons 18 results in the closed end 30b of the corresponding protrusion 30 moving in the direction parallel to the tubular length L of the protrusion 30. Further, the elastic member 16 has a thickness between the first and second major surfaces 26 and 28, respectively, and between at least one immediately adjoining pair of the plurality of the protrusions 30, such that the first major surface 26 is maintained in continuous direct contact with the cover plate 14 and the second major surface 28 is maintained in continuous direct contact with the support surface 20 between the at least one immediately adjoining pair of the plurality of the protrusions 30.
The protrusion 30, in an unstretched state, is preferably of a uniform radial thickness TR around the remainder of the length of the shaft portion 36 of the button 18 received therein. The closed end 30b of the protrusion 30 preferably has an axial thickness TA greater than the uniform radial thickness TR of the tubular wall 32 around the remainder of the length of the shaft portion 36 received within the protrusion 30 to resist puncture by the distal tip 36a of the shaft portion 36. The axial thickness TA of the closed end 30b of the above described protrusion 30 is approximately 0.060 inches. The axial thickness TA of the closed end 30b is preferably relatively thick to provide added wear resistance because the closed end 30b of the protrusion 30 is the end that contact a switch element 48, as discussed more fully below. A relatively smaller radial thickness TR of the tubular wall 32 is preferable so that less water pressure acts upon the device 10. Specifically, the radial thickness TR of the tubular wall 32 is directly related to the spring force exerted by the elastic member 16 against depression of the button 18. Thus, the radial thickness TR may be adjusted based on the spring force required for the desired depth of use of the device 10.
As an example, for an elastic member 16 made of silicone and used with buttons 18 having shaft portions 36 with a maximum diameter of 0.093 inches and a range of motion of 0.080 inches, the radial thickness TR of the unstretched tubular member 32 around the maximum shaft diameter is preferably approximately 0.200 inches and the axial thickness TA of the closed end 30b is approximately 0.500 inches. These dimensions provide a stretch of less than 0.080 inches of the protrusion 30 from water pressure on the button 18 at a depth of more than sixty meters. The materials of construction of the various components, such as the material of the elastic member 16, will affect the dimensions of the protrusion 30.
Also, the elastic member 16 maintains continuous direct contact with the support surface 20 and the cover plate 14 regardless of whether the protrusion 30 is relaxed (i.e., unstretched) or stretched. Further, because the elastic member 16 is tightly retained between the cover plate 14 and the support surface 20, depression of the button 18 will not cause stretching of this portion of the elastic member 16. Accordingly, no gaps are created between the elastic member 16 and the cover plate 14 or the elastic member 16 and the support surface 20 by depression of the button 18. Accordingly, the close-fitting relationship of the elastic member 16, the support surface 20 and the cover plate 14 is sufficiently maintained to form a waterproof seal even when the button 18 is depressed.
The waterproof operating device 10 also includes at least one switch element, indicated generically by block 48, and more preferably a plurality of switch elements 48, not depicted, each associated with one of the plurality of protrusions 30. The switch element 48 is located within the pressure resistant housing 12 in a position so as to be actuated by the closed end 30b of the protrusion 30 of the elastic member 16 with the button 18 sufficiently depressed. Specifically, the switch element 48 is located within the housing 12 proximate to, but spaced apart from, the distal closed end 30b of the protrusion 30. With the elastic member 16 being maintained in direct contact and close-fitting relationship with the cover plate 14 and the support surface 20, the elastic member 16 provides a waterproof barrier for the plurality of openings 22 and 24 through the support surface 20 and cover plate 14, respectively, such that water cannot reach the switch element(s) 48.
As described above, depressing the button 18 causes movement of the shaft portion 36 and stretching of the protrusion 30 in the direction parallel to the tubular length L of the protrusion 30. Accordingly, the closed end 30b moves in the direction parallel to the tubular length L to directly contact and actuate the switch element 48 located directly opposite and proximate to the closed end 30b. Thus, depression of the button 18 directly actuates the switch element 48 to initiate the desired operation.
Alternatively, the switch element 48 may be indirectly actuated by the button 18. According to this embodiment, a lever (not shown) is positioned proximate to and between the closed end 30b and the switch element 48. When the button 18 is depressed, the protrusion 30 is stretched and the closed end 30b moves until it contacts the lever. Further depression of the button 18 causes the lever to move or pivot from a first position to a second or actuation position. In the second position, the lever directly contacts and then actuates the switch element 48.
Where the waterproof operating device 10 includes a plurality of openings 22, 24, protrusions 30, buttons 18 and switch elements 48 clustered together, the waterproof operating device 10 essentially constitutes or includes a waterproof keypad 100. Specifically, referring to
The openings 22, the openings 24 and the protrusions 30 are positioned at corresponding spaced apart locations, such that their positions all correspond with each other so as to be coaxially aligned. Accordingly, with the cover plate 14 positioned over the support surface 20, the positions of the plurality of openings 24 in the cover plate 14 correspond to (i.e. align with) the positions of the plurality of openings 22 in the support surface 20. Also, with the elastic member 16 positioned between the cover plate 14 and the support surface 20, the tubular wall 32 of each protrusion 30 passes through a corresponding opening 22 of the plurality of openings 22 in the support surface 20. Because the openings 22 in the support surface 20, the openings 24 in the cover plate 14, and the protrusions 30 of the elastic member 16 are of corresponding positions, the cover plate 14, elastic member 16 and the support surface 20 preferably have essentially the same length and width dimensions, such that they are of substantially the same area.
According to this embodiment, the plurality of switch elements 48 are located within the pressure resistant housing 12, such that one of the plurality of switch elements 48 is actuated by the closed end 30b of a separate one of the plurality of protrusions 30. Specifically, by sufficient depression of the corresponding button 18 of the protrusion 30, one of the plurality of switch elements 48 is actuated, directly or indirectly, by the closed end 30b of the corresponding protrusion 30.
The configuration of the buttons 18 in the cover plate 14 along with the design of the elastic member 16 and, more particularly, the design of the protrusions 30, allows for superior resistance of the waterproof operating device 10 against water pressure that is inevitably exerted on the button 18 when the device 10 is used in an underwater application. The effect of water pressure is diminished by the clearance provided between the head portion 34 of each button 18 and the inner wall of the well 38 receiving the button. As such, the net force applied by water to the button 18 is proportional to only the diameter of the button shaft 36, as opposed to the diameter of the head portion 34 which is generally substantially larger than the diameter of the shaft portion 36. Such water pressure will cause increasingly greater depression of the button 18 with increasing depth and, thus, could cause unintentional actuation of the switch element 48. However, the elastic member 16 of the present invention acts a spring to counteract the water pressure on the button shaft portion 36 and to prevent unintentional actuation of the switch element 48.
Specifically, the protrusion 30 of the elastic member 16 is dimensioned for the material used and the desired range of motion of the button 18 to be sufficiently resilient to resist water pressure exerted on the button 18 to a depth in water of greater than ten meters (approximately thirty-three feet) and, preferably, up to a depth in excess of thirty meters (approximately one hundred feet), for example, about forty meters (approximately one hundred and thirty feet), and even more preferably, up to a depth of at least sixty meters (approximately two hundred feet), without actuation of the proximal switch element 48. It will be appreciated that the protrusions 30 of the elastic member 16 can be designed for any level of resistance to water pressure for any desired depth by controlling the stretch of the protrusion 30. It will be appreciated that for any elastomer selected, the amount of stretch of a protrusion 30 for a given pressure level (depth) is controlled by the selected combination of material wall thickness and length (unstretched) of the protrusion 30.
According to the waterproof keypad embodiment, each protrusion 30 of the elastic member 16 has the above described configuration and dimensions. Thus, each protrusion 30 is sufficiently resilient to resist water pressure exerted on the corresponding button 18 to a depth in water of greater than ten meters (approximately thirty-three feet), at least up to thirty meters (approximately one hundred feet) and preferably up to at least sixty meters (approximately 200 feet), without actuation of one of the plurality of switch elements 48.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as described by the appended claims.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20110214976 A1 | Sep 2011 | US |
