Watertight access cover with electroactive polymers

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016285496-A1
Application number	US-201414398526-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 14, 2014
Priority date	Jan 14, 2014
Publication date	Sep 29, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An electronic device includes a housing that has an opening to access a component inside the housing. The electronic device also includes a cover for the opening, a gasket to provide a seal between the cover and the opening, and a voltage source to supply voltage to the gasket. The gasket is configured to alter its shape, from a normal state that blocks opening of the cover to an activated state that permits opening of the cover, when voltage is applied to the gasket.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An electronic device, comprising:
a housing that includes an opening to access a component inside the housing; a cover for the opening; a gasket to provide a seal between the cover and the opening, wherein the gasket is configured to alter shape, from a normal state that blocks opening of the cover to an activated state that permits opening of the cover, when voltage is applied to the gasket; and a voltage source to supply voltage to the gasket.

2 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the gasket comprises an electroactive polymer (EAP).

3 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein, when in the normal state, the gasket is configured to provide a watertight seal within the opening.

4 . The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a user interface configured to receive a selection from a user to open the cover, wherein the user selection is configured to trigger application of voltage from the voltage source.

5 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the gasket is secured to the cover and is configured to move with the cover between an open position and a closed position.

6 . The electronic device of claim 5 , wherein the cover includes an electrode configured to supply voltage to the gasket.

7 . The electronic device of claim 5 , wherein the gasket and the opening are configured to prevent opening of the cover when the gasket is both within the opening and in the normal state.

8 . The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising a spring to force the cover and gasket away from the opening when the gasket is in the activated state.

9 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the gasket is secured to the housing and is separated from the cover when the cover is opened.

10 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the opening includes one or more of an audio jack, a USB port, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card slot, a memory card slot, or a cavity for receiving a functional module.

11 . A method performed by an electronic device, comprising:
receiving, via a user interface, a selection to open an access cover for an opening to the electronic device; applying voltage to alter a shape or size of a gasket for the access cover, wherein the shape or size of the gasket is altered from a normal state that blocks opening of the access cover to an activated state that permits opening of the access cover; and applying, while the voltage is being applied to alter the shape or size of the gasket, a force to remove the access cover from the opening.

12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
presenting, to the user and via the user interface, options to identify the access cover from a selection of multiple access covers.

13 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
removing, after the force to remove the access cover has been applied, the voltage to alter the shape or size of the gasket for the access cover, wherein the shape or size of the gasket is altered from the activated state that permits opening of the access cover to the normal state that blocks opening of the access cover.

14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
receiving, from the user and via the user interface, another selection to close the access cover; applying voltage to alter the shape or size of the gasket, wherein the shape or size of the gasket is altered from the normal state to the activated state; and receiving, while the voltage is being applied to alter the shape or size of the gasket, a force to insert the access cover onto the opening.

15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the gasket comprises an electroactive polymer (EAP).

16 . A device, comprising:
a housing that includes an opening to access a component inside the housing; a cover for the opening; a gasket to provide a seal between the cover and the opening, wherein the gasket comprises an electroactive polymer (EAP) material configured to alter a shape or size, from a normal state that blocks opening of the cover to an activated state that permits opening of the cover, when voltage is applied to the gasket; and an electrode to connect the gasket to a voltage source to selectively supply voltage to the gasket.

17 . The device of claim 16 , further comprising:
a memory to store a plurality of instructions; and a processor configured to:
present, to a user and via a user interface, a menu option to open the cover,
receive, via the user interface, a selection to open the cover, and
apply voltage, from the voltage source and based on the selection, to alter the shape or size of the gasket from the normal state to the activated state.

18 . The device of claim 17 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
present, to a user and via a user interface, options to identify the cover from a group of multiple covers.

19 . The device of claim 18 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
monitor a status of the cover as one of opened or closed.

20 . The device of claim 16 , wherein the device comprises one of:
a mobile telephone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a gaming device, a personal music playing device, a Global Positioning System (GPS) device, a digital camera, or a two-way radio device.

Assignees

• Sony Corp

Inventors

• Larsson Anders

Classifications

• H04M1/72575

  Electricity · mapped topic

• H04B1/3888 Primary

  Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers · CPC title

• H04M1/72583

  Electricity · mapped topic

• G06F1/1656

  Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories (mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203) · CPC title

• H04M1/18

  Telephone sets specially adapted for use in ships, mines, or other places exposed to adverse environment (H04M1/19 takes precedence) · CPC title