EP2153493A1 - Technical field of invention - Google Patents
Technical field of inventionInfo
- Publication number
- EP2153493A1 EP2153493A1 EP08718499A EP08718499A EP2153493A1 EP 2153493 A1 EP2153493 A1 EP 2153493A1 EP 08718499 A EP08718499 A EP 08718499A EP 08718499 A EP08718499 A EP 08718499A EP 2153493 A1 EP2153493 A1 EP 2153493A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- socket
- plug
- seal
- perimeter
- electrical
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
- H01R13/52—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
- H01R13/5219—Sealing means between coupling parts, e.g. interfacial seal
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
- H01R13/52—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
- H01R13/523—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases for use under water
Definitions
- the invention relates to an electrical socket that is water and/or airtight.
- the invention relates to a water and/or airtight electrical socket for portable electronic devices.
- asymmetric pressure means a pressure which is uneven at some points of the surface to which it is applied.
- the invention under study is directed towards a system and a method for effectively sealing the socket-plug system even in asymmetric pressure conditions.
- a further object of the invention is to present a water and/or airtight seal for socket and plug systems that will continue to seal the plug-socket system irrespective of the direction from which either the seal or the electric appliance receives asymmetric pressure, or symmetric pressure.
- One aspect of the invention involves sealing elements that are shaped like an arc, and arranged to seal only a portion of the perimeter of the socket-plug interface.
- this arc element experiences a force caused by asymmetric pressure, it will mechanically relay that force only to that section of the perimeter of the socket-plug interface that it is arranged to seal. It will not relay mechanical forces any further.
- the mechanical effect of any extra asymmetric pressure will simply be limited to increasing the pressure of the seal in the perimeter section of that particular sealing element, thereby tightening the seal further still. This way the possible secondary mechanical response of loosening pressure in some portion of any annular structure is avoided.
- the seal of the invention is realised in a specialised housing, in which an electrical device is arranged to be inserted.
- the housing will have an opening for a socket, and this opening is sealed with the seal of the invention.
- the electrical socket of the electrical device is simply aligned with the socket opening in the housing, so that a plug may be inserted through the opening and the seal to charge the electrical device. If this housing is pressed with, say fingers, resulting in asymmetric pressure, the seal will hold by redirecting the asymmetric pressure to some sections of the perimeter of the socket-plug interface with special compressible pressure redirecting elements.
- An electrical socket in accordance with the invention realised in an electrical appliance for housing a plug with the socket further comprises a seal
- the seal is composed of at least two sealing elements, and arranged to seal the socket opening,
- the plug is arranged to penetrate through the seal through the opening and is characterised in that, -upon pressure on the electric appliance, at least one sealing element is arranged to compress radially against the longitudinal plug axis thereby tightening the seal of the socket,
- -at least one element occupies an arc or portion of the socket opening perimeter less than the full perimeter.
- a housing in accordance with the invention is arranged to house an electric appliance comprising an opening for an electric plug and a seal for the opening and is characterised in that, the socket of the electric appliance and the seal of the housing are arranged to form an electrical socket of the preceding paragraph.
- Method of producing the socket in accordance with the invention of the preceding paragraphs is characterised in that, all or some parts of the socket and/or seal are manufactured by moulding and/or injection moulding.
- Method of securing a plug and socket interface as described in the preceding three paragraphs.
- Method of securing a plug and socket interface in accordance with the invention comprises the following steps, -pressing an electric appliance or its housing,
- -the redirected force caused by the pressure is targeted on a portion of the perimeter of the socket, -portion of the perimeter of the socket is pressed harder against the plug surface due to added redirected force caused by the pressure.
- the best mode of the invention is considered to be the use of several sealing elements applied to different sections of the perimeter of an electrical socket- plug system interface of a portable electronic device, such as a mobile phone or a computer mouse for protection in asymmetric pressure conditions.
- Figure 1 demonstrates an embodiment of the inventive socket seal as a mechanical force diagram.
- Figure 2 demonstrates a more developed embodiment 20 of the inventive socket seal in accordance with the invention.
- Figure 3 demonstrates an embodiment 30 of the method that the seal and the sealing elements are arranged to execute in accordance with the invention as a flow diagram.
- Figure 4 demonstrates a developed embodiment 40 of the inventive socket seal used in a housing for an electrical device in accordance with the invention as a block diagram.
- Figure 5 demonstrates an embodiment 50 of the inventive socket seal integrated into an electrical device in accordance with the invention as a block diagram.
- Figure 6 demonstrates an embodiment 60 of the method for manufacturing the seal and the opening of the invention to a spherical housing 500.
- Figure 1 shows an electrical socket opening 100. Both the opening and the socket cavity behind the opening are typically realised in an electrical appliance for housing a plug with the socket.
- the electrical appliance can be any mobile phone, wrist watch, clock, camera, music player, electric shaver, or any portable electric device in accordance with the invention.
- the electrical appliance is a spherical mouse as described in EP 05028777.0 of the applicant which is cited here as reference.
- the electrical appliance may be any wired or wireless control device, such as a remote control, for example.
- the opening is further either covered or aligned by a seal that is composed of two sealing elements 200 and 210.
- a seal that is composed of two sealing elements 200 and 210.
- the opening is in the state "open", i.e. either a plug has been inserted, or the seal is pulled away from the opening to reveal the socket opening 100.
- the sealing elements 200 and 210 cover the socket opening 100 from the surroundings, i.e. this is the closed state of the socket seal.
- a plug is arranged to penetrate through the seal by pushing the sealing elements 200, 210 from the closed position of Figure 1 B to the open position of Figure 1. After penetrating through the seal 200, 210 the plug is arranged continue to penetrate through the opening 100 to the socket cavity and start charging the electrical appliance.
- At least one sealing element 200, 210 Upon pressure on the electric appliance, at least one sealing element 200, 210 is arranged to compress radially against the longitudinal plug axis thereby tightening the seal of the socket.
- force vector 400 makes a pressure in the direction of the arrow shown, pushing the arc shaped sealing element 200.
- the shape of the sealing element is an arc, but in other embodiments the sealing element may be realized with any compressible shape, in accordance with the invention.
- At least one element 200 and/or 210 occupies an arc or portion of the socket opening 100 perimeter less than the full perimeter.
- at least one sealing element 200 and/or 210 is typically made from an elastic material, such as rubber, silicone and/or plastic.
- sealing element 200 As sealing element 200 is pushed with force 400 it will by virtue of its elasticity bend more open in the direction of arrows 440, 430.
- the net result of the applied pressure 400 is a compressible force that acts both down as indicated by arrows 410, 420 and inward 500, 510, squeezing the socket opening and tightening the seal and strengthening the sealing effect.
- the tension in the sealing elements 200 and 210 may be arranged so that the opening 100 is closed by the seal in its rest state, as shown in Figure IB.
- At least one sealing element 200, 210 has the shape of an arc in some embodiments. Other shapes are also possible in accordance with the invention. However, in its current position and shape the outer perimeter of the arc element 200 and 210 interfaces with the socket opening 100 perimeter, and the inner perimeter of the arc element 200, 210 is directed outwards from the socket opening 100 perimeter. The outer perimeter of the sealing element 200, 210 is arranged to exert extra pressure on the socket opening 100 perimeter and/or the plug from the sides of its contact surface 300, 310 when an outside force tries to increase the inner perimeter of the arc of the sealing element 200, 210.
- the outer perimeter of the sealing element is arranged to exert extra pressure on the socket opening 100 perimeter and/or the plug from the middle of its contact surface 300, 310 when an outside force tries to decrease the inner perimeter of the arc. This way, the pressure changes will be limited to the perimeter sector of each sealing element 200, 210 and will not effect the entire perimeter of the opening 100.
- Different sealing element shapes and mechanisms to distribute pressure are also in accordance with the invention.
- the seal 200, 210 is arranged to be water and/or airtight when the plug is inserted through the seal. Further in some embodiments the seal 200, 210 is arranged to be water and/or airtight when there is no plug in the socket.
- the socket can be in accordance with US, European, UK, Australian, Japanese or any other standard for an electrical socket and/or plug. Also more than one embodiments of the type of 10 and 11 can be arranged to form an integral socket accommodating more than one plugs. It is clear that any electric plug adapted to fit with the socket of the invention is also in accordance with the invention.
- FIG. 2 displays a socket opening 100 that is protected by four sealing elements 200, 210, 220 and 230. All of these sealing elements work similarly to the sealing elements 200, 210 described in Figure 1, except that they occupy a smaller sector of the perimeter of the opening 100. hi this embodiment each sealing element is arranged to occupy a sector of 90 degrees. However it is possible that any arbitrary number of sealing elements 200, 210, 220 and 230 can be used to realise the seal. It is also possible and in accordance with the invention that the sealing elements 200, 210, 220, 230 occupy sectors of the perimeter that are of different size, for example sectors of 180, 60, 60 and 60 degrees. In this embodiment the shape of the sealing element is an arc, but in other embodiments the sealing element may be realized with any compressible shape, in accordance with the invention.
- Figure 3 displays a method of securing a plug and socket interface during the use of an electric appliance as described in the previous Figures 1, IB and 2.
- the electric appliance is pressed, e.g. with fingers resulting in asymmetric pressure, or with a fluid, resulting in uniform symmetric hydrostatic pressure, or both.
- phase 32 at least one sealing element experiences the force caused by the said pressure or a part of the aforementioned pressure.
- the sealing element mechanically directs the force caused by the pressure or a part of it further.
- the sealing element acts thus as a mechanical pressure and force relay station, in addition to performing a sealing role.
- the redirected force caused by the pressure is targeted on a portion of the perimeter of the socket.
- the portion of the perimeter may be anywhere between 0-360 degrees. There is also no need for the perimeter to be circular necessarily, the perimeter of the socket may also be square, triangular or in fact of any shape, hi phase 35 the portion of the perimeter of the socket is pressed harder against the plug surface, due to the redirected force caused by the pressure on the sealing element before.
- Figure 4 shows a housing 600 arranged to house an electric appliance 500 comprising an opening 100 for an electric plug 700 and a seal 200, 210, 220, 230 for the opening.
- the electric appliance is a wireless communication device 500 with an antenna 530 in this embodiment.
- the device 500 may have a screen and a keyboard 520, and in some embodiments it can be removed from the housing.
- the housing is typically of elastic material such as, rubber, silicone and/or plastic.
- the socket 110 of the electric appliance 500 and the seal of the housing 200, 210, 220, 230 protecting the socket opening 100 are arranged to form an electrical socket that is covered as described in association with the previous figures.
- at least one sealing element 200, 210, 220, 230 is arranged to compress radially against the longitudinal plug 700 axis thereby tightening the seal 200, 210, 220, 230 of the socket 110 as described before.
- the sealing elements 200, 210, 220, 230 react to both symmetric and asymmetric pressure, by redirecting and limiting the mechanical force to the sector of the perimeter of the opening 100 to which that sealing element corresponds to, as explained in association with the previous figures.
- the housing 600 has the shape of a ball.
- the electric appliance 500 may be a wireless computer mouse covered by the housing 600 and amounting to a solution as described in EP 05028777.0 of the applicant.
- the electric appliance 500 may be for example a wrist watch, clock, camera, music player, electric shaver, or any portable electric device in accordance with the invention.
- the electrical appliance may be any wired or wireless control device, such as a remote control, for example.
- the plug 700 is typically cylindrical but any plug 700 and socket 110 shape may be implemented with the sealing elements 200, 210, 220 and 230 in accordance with the invention.
- the sealing elements 200, 210, 220 and 230 and the housing 600 typically provide water and/or airtight sealing to the electric appliance 500 in some embodiments.
- Figure 5 displays an embodiment 50 of an electric appliance 500 with a socket 110, socket opening 100 and a seal composed of the previously described sealing elements 200, 210, 220 and 230.
- the electric appliance 500 is a mobile wireless communication device, such as a mobile phone.
- the electric appliance 500 may be for example a wrist watch, clock, camera, music player, electric shaver, or any portable electric device in accordance with the invention.
- the sealing elements 200, 210, 220 and 230 can be used to realise a water- and/or airtight seal on any wireless portable device, or any socket or plug for that matter, including but not limited to wall sockets and plugs.
- socket 110, plug 700 and/or seal 200, 210, 220, 230 are manufactured by moulding and/or injection moulding from know materials such as rubber, silicone and/or plastics.
- stage 6 the housing 500 and the seal elements 200, 210, 220, 230 are shown in stage 71.
- stage 72 the housing 500 is compressed and a cut 100 is made to the seal 200, 210, 220 and 230.
- the cut 100 will form the opening 100 when the housing 500 is restored to its original shape.
- the opening 100 is compressed to closure and/or to a tighter state in stage 73 than in stage 72 in some embodiments.
- the methods and arrangements of the invention allow the socket opening to be sealed in an water- and/or airtight manner even in asymmetric pressure conditions, for example when pressed with fingers, both when there is no plug 700 in the socket 110 and also when a plug 700 is inside the socket 110.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
FI20070259A FI121490B (en) | 2007-03-30 | 2007-03-30 | Airtight power inlet |
PCT/FI2008/000029 WO2008119871A1 (en) | 2007-03-30 | 2008-02-19 | Airtight electrical socket |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2153493A1 true EP2153493A1 (en) | 2010-02-17 |
EP2153493A4 EP2153493A4 (en) | 2013-01-23 |
Family
ID=37930060
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP08718499A Withdrawn EP2153493A4 (en) | 2007-03-30 | 2008-02-19 | Airtight electrical socket |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2153493A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5190107B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN101663798B (en) |
FI (1) | FI121490B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2008119871A1 (en) |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0262487A1 (en) * | 1986-09-19 | 1988-04-06 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Electrical contact device with contacts protection device |
US4795354A (en) * | 1987-09-03 | 1989-01-03 | Gte Products Corporation | Dust cover for printed circuit board card connector |
US6662035B2 (en) * | 2001-09-13 | 2003-12-09 | Neuropace, Inc. | Implantable lead connector assembly for implantable devices and methods of using it |
Family Cites Families (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2239653A (en) * | 1939-05-11 | 1941-04-22 | Pierce John B Foundation | Electrical convenience outlet |
US2619515A (en) * | 1947-12-20 | 1952-11-25 | Leroy C Doane | Vapor and explosion proof plug and receptacle |
DE950206C (en) * | 1953-09-20 | 1956-10-04 | Siemens Ag | Contact protection for sockets |
DE1615917B1 (en) * | 1967-10-20 | 1972-09-07 | Cannon Electric Gmbh | Slat body and process for its manufacture |
US4085993A (en) * | 1976-09-07 | 1978-04-25 | Cairns James L | Sealed connector with barriers to contact bridging |
US4411491A (en) * | 1981-09-10 | 1983-10-25 | Trw Inc. | Connector assembly with elastomeric sealing membranes having slits |
CA1296783C (en) * | 1988-02-18 | 1992-03-03 | James L. Cairns | Submersible electrical connector |
JP2842143B2 (en) * | 1993-03-31 | 1998-12-24 | 住友電装株式会社 | connector |
JP2827872B2 (en) * | 1993-09-20 | 1998-11-25 | 住友電装株式会社 | Rubber stopper for waterproof connector |
US5645442A (en) * | 1995-01-19 | 1997-07-08 | Ocean Design, Inc. | Sealed, Fluid-filled electrical connector |
-
2007
- 2007-03-30 FI FI20070259A patent/FI121490B/en active IP Right Grant
-
2008
- 2008-02-19 WO PCT/FI2008/000029 patent/WO2008119871A1/en active Application Filing
- 2008-02-19 EP EP08718499A patent/EP2153493A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2008-02-19 CN CN2008800098924A patent/CN101663798B/en active Active
- 2008-02-19 JP JP2010500306A patent/JP5190107B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0262487A1 (en) * | 1986-09-19 | 1988-04-06 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Electrical contact device with contacts protection device |
US4795354A (en) * | 1987-09-03 | 1989-01-03 | Gte Products Corporation | Dust cover for printed circuit board card connector |
US6662035B2 (en) * | 2001-09-13 | 2003-12-09 | Neuropace, Inc. | Implantable lead connector assembly for implantable devices and methods of using it |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See also references of WO2008119871A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN101663798B (en) | 2012-11-21 |
WO2008119871A1 (en) | 2008-10-09 |
JP2010524150A (en) | 2010-07-15 |
FI20070259A0 (en) | 2007-03-30 |
FI121490B (en) | 2010-11-30 |
JP5190107B2 (en) | 2013-04-24 |
CN101663798A (en) | 2010-03-03 |
EP2153493A4 (en) | 2013-01-23 |
FI20070259A (en) | 2008-10-01 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
TWI380333B (en) | Key mechanism with waterproofing function and related electronic device | |
CN202971892U (en) | Waterproof structure of opening-closing part of device enclosure | |
US20130319836A1 (en) | Housing assembly having a push button | |
JP2009059586A (en) | Waterproofing terminal structure, and electronic equipment | |
CN106027700A (en) | Case for a mobile electronic device | |
US7803004B2 (en) | Airtight electrical socket | |
JP5142033B2 (en) | Sealed motor | |
JP2013045600A (en) | Portable electronic equipment and waterproof device | |
EP2641300B1 (en) | Connector device and connector assembly for vehicle electrical power supply | |
US20120074153A1 (en) | Soft ring | |
CN104979720B (en) | Connector construction | |
CN205789614U (en) | A kind of side button and electronic equipment | |
US20110070472A1 (en) | Watertight battery cover assembly for electronic device | |
WO2008119871A1 (en) | Airtight electrical socket | |
US6528725B2 (en) | Portable electronic device | |
CN105229870B (en) | Electronic equipment, auxiliary equipment and connection cable | |
CN218631746U (en) | Key structure and mobile robot | |
TWM592476U (en) | Sealing wireless intercom device using same | |
JP3229573U (en) | Sealing member and wireless intercom device to which it is applied | |
KR20140142022A (en) | Environmental Test Apparatus | |
CN207869186U (en) | Protective shell with drop resistant and water-proof function | |
JP2015021516A (en) | Ring packing | |
WO2014037985A1 (en) | Seal structure for external connector connection port in electronic device, electronic device, and sealing method | |
WO2015035846A1 (en) | Mobile terminal shell and mobile terminal | |
CN203774739U (en) | Cable waterproof plug |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20090903 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL BA MK RS |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: HK Ref legal event code: DE Ref document number: 1140316 Country of ref document: HK |
|
A4 | Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched |
Effective date: 20130104 |
|
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: H01R 13/523 20060101ALN20121220BHEP Ipc: H01R 13/52 20060101AFI20121220BHEP |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20130802 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: HK Ref legal event code: WD Ref document number: 1140316 Country of ref document: HK |