Patent Publication Number: US-2023135549-A1

Title: Protective enclosure for an electronic device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/272,942, filed Oct. 28, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Various types of portable electronic devices are available for communication, information access, and entertainment purposes. Increasingly, portable electronic devices are also being used for work and industrial purposes, and often in various environments where the electronic devices could be exposed to dirt, dust, impact, drops, and/or other damaging forces. In addition, some usage environments impose additional restrictions and/or requirements on the devices. There is a need for improved accessories to help meet these additional restrictions and/or requirements. The types of electronic devices discussed herein may include mobile phones, smartphones, tablet computers, laptop computers, personal digital assistants, cameras, medical devices, measurement tools, and/or other types of electronic devices. These devices often include touchscreens, cameras, switches, buttons, and/or other interactive controls. 
     SUMMARY 
     A protective enclosure for an electronic device is provided. The protective enclosure is configured such that the electronic device can fit within the protective enclosure and be at least partially covered and/or protected from drops, shocks, damage, misuse, dirt, debris, and the like. In certain instances, the protective enclosure can include a back structural member that snaps together with a front structural member to enclose or at least partially enclose, the electronic device. 
     In some examples, the back member includes a pressure equalization membrane configured to equalize air pressure between an area inside the protective enclosure with an area outside the protective enclosure. In some cases, the pressure equalization membrane may be referred to as a restricted breathing apparatus, a pressure management device, or a case pressure regulator. 
     In some examples, the protective enclosure includes a spacer pad configured to fit between the back of the electronic device and an inside surface of the back structural member. The spacer pad may include one or more air channels extending across a surface of the spacer pad where the pressure equalization membrane is adjacent a portion of the one or more air channels when the spacer pad is in the protective enclosure. 
     In some examples, the spacer pad may include the one or more channels on a first side of the spacer pad and also include one or more channels on a second side of the spacer pad. The spacer pad may also include one or more ports extending between the first side of the spacer pad and the second side of the spacer pad. Further, the one or more ports may each intersect at least a portion of the one or more channels on the first side and the one or more channels on the second side. 
     In some examples, the protective enclosure includes a mounting interface. The mounting interface may include one or more threaded inserts. 
     In some examples, the protective enclosure may include an internal electrical interface for engaging an electrical connector of the electronic device for charging the electronic device. The internal electrical interface may be further configured for transmitting data to the installed electronic device and/or receiving data from the installed electronic device. 
     In some examples, the protective enclosure includes an external electrical interface that is electrically connected to the internal electrical interface for charging the electronic device, transmitting data to the electronic device, and/or receiving data from the electronic device from outside the protective enclosure. 
     In some examples, the protective enclosure includes a wireless charging coil for wirelessly receiving electrical power from outside the protective enclosure. The wireless charging coil may be configured for providing at least a portion of the received electrical power to the internal electrical interface for charging the electronic device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present invention will be described and explained through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a front perspective view of a protective enclosure. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a rear perspective view of the protective enclosure of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    illustrates an alternate rear view of the protective enclosure of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a bottom end view of the protective enclosure of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a front member of the protective enclosure of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a back member of the protective enclosure of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  7    illustrate an electronic module for use with the protective enclosure of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  8    illustrates the back member of  FIG.  6    with the electronic module of  FIG.  7    removed. 
         FIG.  9    illustrates the back member of  FIG.  8    with a spacer pad also removed. 
         FIG.  10    illustrates a spacer pad for use with the protective enclosure of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  11    illustrates an opposite side of the spacer pad of  FIG.  10   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, various specific details are set forth in order to provide an understanding of and describe the various apparatuses and techniques introduced here. However, the techniques may be practiced without the specific details set forth in these examples. Various alternatives, modifications, and/or equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art without varying from the spirit of the introduced apparatuses and techniques. For example, while the embodiments described herein refer to particular features, the scope of this solution also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the techniques and solutions introduced herein are intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof. Therefore, the description should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims. 
     The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a protective enclosure for an electronic device. It is desired to have the electronic device protected from adverse environmental conditions, mishandling, and/or damage from drops and falls. In addition, the protective enclosure may protect the use environment from aspects of the electronic device, such as electrical arcs, sparks, and/or concentrated thermal energy. The protective enclosures disclosed herein may also be referred to as an enclosure, a case, a protective case, a shell, a protective shell, a cover, and/or a protective cover. 
     While many of the examples disclosed herein related to a protective encasement or enclosure for a tablet computer, the protective encasement or enclosure of this disclosure can be of any suitable shape, having any suitable size, dependent on the actual dimensions of the portable electronic device it is meant to encase. 
     The electronic device may have a touchscreen or touch screen interface on a front surface. The touchscreen can be a capacitive sensing touch screen or other type of interactive control panel. In other embodiments, the front surface of the electronic device can have a keyboard or buttons along with, or in lieu of, a touchscreen or other display. The electronic device may also include other button, switches, sensors, or controls. The electronic device may also include one or more cameras and one or more electrical connectors. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a protective enclosure  100 . Protective enclosure  100  includes a front member  101  which removably attaches to a back member  102 . Other protective enclosure configurations for enclosing an electronic device are possible. In some embodiments, the protective enclosure can comprise more than two pieces. In other embodiments, the components can snap or otherwise attach together from the top and bottom of the protective enclosure, or only cover a front portion of the electronic device, or only cover a back portion of the electronic device. Protective enclosure  100  may also be referred to as a protective case, a protective encasement, an enclosure, a case, and/or an encasement. 
     Front member  101  may removably attach to back member  102  with one or more snap features or snap connections, clasping features, and/or clasping mechanisms. Corresponding snap connections can have a molded male and female component. In one instance, the male snap connection can be located on front member  101  and the corresponding female snap connection can be located on back member  102 . In other instances, the corresponding snap connection can be connected with the male snap connection on back member  102  and the female snap connection on front member  101 . In other instances, the snap connections can be separate components that are attached to the front member and/or the back member. In some examples, an attachment feature may extend around an entire perimeter of front member  101  and/or back member  102 . In some examples, a compressible, pliable, or resilient gasket may be present between front member  101  and back member  102 . 
     In some examples, front member  101  and back member  102  may be attached to each other with one or more screws, clips, or similar fasteners. In some examples, the fastener may have a proprietary or uncommon interface or require a proprietary tool to discourage an end user or non-authorized person from opening the enclosure. In some examples, tamper evident seals or other tamper evident features may be used to indicate when the enclosure has been opened and/or the seal broken. 
     Front member  101  includes a protective membrane  105  that is configured or adapted to cover the touchscreen or other interactive control panel of an installed electronic device. Protective membrane  105  can also be referred to as a screen protector, a touchscreen cover, a membrane, or a film. Protective membrane  105  is transparent or substantially transparent. The touchscreen of the electronic device is operable by a user through protective membrane  105 . In some examples, protective enclosure  100  may be completely sealed such that it is waterproof, water resistant, dust proof, dust resistant, and/or otherwise sealed against moisture, dust, dirt, or contaminants. 
     Protective enclosure  100  also includes button covers or pads  107  that are configured to allow a user to operate or activate features of the installed electronic device that can include volume buttons, power buttons, silence buttons, or the like. Button pads  107  can be configured to be depressed by a user to activate the features of the electronic device while the electronic device is installed in the protective enclosure  100 . Button pads  107  may have thinner portions surrounding the pads or near the edges of the pads that allow the pads to move or flex with respect to the surrounding material for button operation. 
     Protective enclosure  100  may also include one or more speaker ports, such as speaker ports  111 , and/or one or more microphone ports (not visible in  FIG.  1   ). These ports may be configured with membranes to maintain the sealed nature of protective enclosure  100 . In one example, speaker ports  111  may each be configured as a passive radiator and may include a thin membrane of silicone, or another material, to enable sound transmission while retaining the sealed characteristics or performance of the apparatus. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates a rear perspective view of protective enclosure  100 . Back member  102  and/or front member  101  may include one or more camera apertures, such as camera aperture  113 . Camera aperture  113  may be covered with a transparent, or mostly transparent, material to preserve the sealed nature of the apparatus. Back member  102  may also include a mounting interface  121  configured or adapted for mounting protective enclosure  100  to another device, object, or surface. Many mounting interfaces and standards are possible. In some cases, mounting interface  121  may also include one or more attachment mechanisms for mounting protective enclosure  100 . In one specific example, mounting interface  121  includes threaded holes or threaded inserts  123  each for receiving mounting screws. 
     Protective enclosure  100  may also include one or more pressure equalization membranes, such as pressure equalization membrane  130 . Pressure equalization membrane  130  may also be referred to as a limited breathing apparatus, a pressure equalization apparatus, a restricted breathing apparatus, and/or a restricted breathing management apparatus. Pressure equalization membrane  130  is configured to enable small pressure adjustments, equalization, and/or relief to occur when protective enclosure  100  is sealed. Pressure adjustments may occur when the sealed enclosure goes through altitude or elevation changes and/or when significant temperature changes occur which may cause a pressure differential to occur between the inside and the outside of sealed protective enclosure  100 . 
     Pressure equalization membrane  130  allows a small amount of air or gas to pass in a relatively slow, controlled manner to allow pressure equalization to occur without having an open port or aperture. Pressure equalization membrane  130  may have a limited or maximum flow or airflow rate or may have a restricted rate at which it will pass air or gas. Pressure equalization membrane  130  may also be water resistant and/or waterproof. In this way, small amounts of air and/or other gasses can relatively slowly move in or out of the case to keep the internal pressure approximately, roughly, or substantially equalized with the ambient pressure while still keeping protective enclosure  100  primarily sealed and/or allowing it to be classified as sealed relative to particular standards or requirements. 
     In addition to achieving a certain amount of water or moisture resistance while still having pressure equalization capabilities, pressure equalization membrane  130  may also satisfy other requirements, such as safety requirements. For example, in some environments where explosive gas, dangerous gas, vapors, compounds, and/or dust may be present, electronic devices may pose some risk due to the potential ability to create sparks, electrical arcs, or releasing other sufficient electrical or thermal energy to cause ignition or other damage. Protective enclosure  100  may be sufficiently sealed to reduce these types of risks associated with an installed electronic device and may enable the assembly to be classified as or meet the requirements of an intrinsically safe device at one or more levels and/or may have beneficial characteristics for use in industrial environments where ignition or explosions may be a concern. Protective enclosure  100  may enable the electronic device to be used in some environments where it may not be permitted or recommended otherwise. In addition, the electronic device is protected from harsh environments, damage, and/or corrosive gas or chemicals. 
     As used herein, the term ‘equalization’ does not necessarily mean exactly equal pressures. The devices disclosed herein may not pass air or gas unless and until a small, non-zero, pressure differential occurs. In this way, pressure equalization membrane  130  may have some amount of hysteresis and/or may allow a small pressure differential to remain. In some examples, a removable cover or cap may be included which temporarily covers or seals over pressure equalization membrane  130  when the cover or cap is in place. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates an alternate rear view of protective enclosure  100 . Protective enclosure  100  may include grip areas  109  to make it easier to hold or carry the assembly. Grip areas  109  may be recessed. Grip areas  109  may also be textured or have an attached grip material to increase friction for holding the assembly. 
       FIG.  4    illustrates a bottom end view of protective enclosure  100 . The bottom end may contain speaker ports  111  similar to those on the top illustrated in  FIG.  1   . Protective enclosure  100  may also contain an external electrical interface  117  for removably attaching an electrical connector or cable. The use of external electrical interface  117  is described with respect to subsequent figures.  FIG.  5    illustrates front member  101  of protective enclosure  100 . 
       FIG.  6    illustrates back member  102  of protective enclosure  100 .  FIG.  6    also illustrates spacer pad  150  and electronics module  140 , which sit in or on back member  102  behind the electronic device. In addition to external electrical interface  117 , electronics module  140  also includes internal electrical interface  118 . Internal electrical interface  118  is positioned to engage and mate with an electrical port or connector of the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in protective enclosure  100 . Additional details of electronics module  140  and spacer pad  150  are discussed in detail with respect to subsequent figures. 
       FIG.  7    illustrates a detailed view of electronics module  140 . Electronics module  140  includes electronics  143 , external electrical interface  117 , internal electrical interface  118 , cable  144 , and coil  142 . Electronics module  140  may also include other electrical or electronic components. Internal electrical interface  118  is positioned to engage, interface, and/or mate with an electrical port or connector of the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in protective enclosure  100 . In this way, a charger or charging cable attached to external interface  117  may charge the installed electronic device through internal electrical interface  118  while the electronic device is sealed in protective enclosure  100 . This connection can also be used to send data to or receive data from the installed electronic device. 
     Alternatively, wireless charging may be utilized. Coil  142  and electronics  143  may enable wireless charging of the installed electronic device while it is installed in protective enclosure  100  even though the electronic device itself may not inherently have wireless charging capabilities. The wireless charging occurs between a charging coil outside protective enclosure  100  and coil  142  which is inside protective enclosure  100 . This enables the installed electronic device to be charged while remaining sealed in protective enclosure  100  and without making or breaking an electrical contact which could cause sparking and may not be permitted in some environments. The wireless charging may occur according to an industry standard wireless charging protocol and interface and/or may be based on a proprietary standard. 
     A cover or cap may also be included to cover or seal external electrical interface  117  when it is not in use.  FIG.  8    illustrates the configuration of  FIG.  6    with electronics module  140  removed. Electronics module  140  may be optionally included. 
       FIG.  9    illustrates the configuration of  FIG.  8    with spacer pad  150  removed. In some examples, spacer pad  150  may be permanently attached to back member  102 . In some examples, spacer pad  150  may be interchangeable with another spacer pad that fits or conforms to a different electronic device having different dimensions.  FIG.  9    also illustrates cushion members  109  which may be included to provide additional support, protection, and/or cushioning to the installed electronic device by further protecting it from shock and/or impact. 
       FIG.  10    illustrates spacer pad  150  removed from protective enclosure  100 . While spacer pad  150  is illustrated as having a primarily flat shape, in some instances it may have varying thicknesses and/or contours in different areas for matching the shape or contour of a particular electronic device. In addition, other instances of spacer pad  150  may be shaped or sized to fit different electronic devices such that different spacer pads for different electronic devices may be used with the same front member  101  and/or back member  102 . 
     Spacer pad  150  includes a series of recessed channels  153  extending in multiple directions. Recessed channels  153  may also be referred to as channels, air channels, slots, or grooves. Recessed channels  153  may have various quantities, sizes, shapes, cross-sectional shapes, and/or patterns. Recessed channels  153  aid or facilitate movement of air, or other gas, within protective enclosure  100  and around the installed electronic device. If spacer pad  150  did not have recessed channels  153 , larger areas of it may tend to stick to the surface of the installed electronic device and may tend to hold or capture air bubbles that are not readily equalized when pressure changes occur. In other words, recessed channels  153  facilitate more even and efficient movement or distribution of air or gas when pressure changes, increases or decreases, occur in the internal cavity of protective enclosure  100 . 
     Further, spacer pad  150  also includes apertures  154  which extend through to the other side of spacer pad  150 . Apertures  154  may also be referred to as holes, openings, or feed-throughs. As illustrated, apertures  154  may be present within recessed channels  153 . Apertures  154  facilitate movement of air or gas and pressure equalization between the two sides of spacer pad  150 . Similar to recessed channels  153 , apertures  154  aid or facilitate movement of air, or other gas, within protective enclosure  100  and around the installed electronic device to aid pressure equalization and facilitate even pressure distribution when pressure changes occur. 
     One or more materials of spacer pad  150  may also be chosen based on beneficial thermal transfer properties or characteristics. The electronic device may tend to get warm or hot when it is in use and/or being charged, particularly given that it is installed in protective enclosure  100 . Therefore, spacer pad  150  may assist in moving or conducting thermal energy away from the electronic device and one or more materials of spacer pad  150  may be chosen based on particular thermal characteristics or properties. 
       FIG.  11    illustrates an alternate side of spacer pad  150 . As illustrated, this alternate side of spacer pad  150  includes recessed channels  155 , which may have any of the characteristics, features, or functions of recessed channels  153  of  FIG.  10   . Apertures  154  may also intersect with recessed channels  155  as illustrated to further facilitate the pressure equalization and distribution functions discussed above. 
     One or more of the recessed channels  155  and apertures  154  may intersect or lead to a cavity  156 . Cavity  156  is adjacent pressure equalization membrane  130  of back member  102  (see  FIG.  9   ) when spacer pad  150  is installed in back member  102 . In this way, any or all of recessed channels  153 , recessed channels  155 , apertures  154 , and cavity  156  facilitate movement of air or gas from various areas into or out of pressure equalization membrane  130  for purposes of pressure adjustment, relief, and/or equalization. Cavity  156  may also directly include an additional opening  157  which extends to the other side of spacer pad  150 . Alternate configurations of these elements are possible when pressure equalization membrane  130  is positioned in a different location and/or multiple pressure equalization membranes are used. 
     The elements, components, and steps described herein are meant to exemplify some types of possibilities. In no way should the aforementioned examples limit the scope of the invention, as they are only exemplary embodiments. 
     The phrases “in some embodiments”, “in other embodiments”, “in some examples”, “in other examples”, “in some situations”, “in one configuration”, and the like generally mean that the particular technique, feature, structure, or characteristic following the phrase is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention and/or may be included in more than one embodiment of the present invention. In addition, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments or to different embodiments. 
     The foregoing disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Other modifications and variations may be possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments described in the foregoing disclosure were chosen to explain the principles of the concept and its practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention. It is intended that the claims be construed to include other alternative embodiments of the invention expect as limited by the prior art.