Apparatus and method for venting and sealing a portable communication device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9667297-B1
Application number	US-201514974774-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Dec 18, 2015
Priority date	Dec 18, 2015
Publication date	May 30, 2017
Grant date	May 30, 2017

Abstract

An improved venting and sealing assembly for a portable communication device is provided. The venting and sealing assembly is formed of a housing enclosure having a walled aperture with a bottom surface and an offset through-hole passing therethrough. A flexible substrate having a vent hole is coupled to the housing enclosure across the walled aperture such that the vent hole is offset from the offset through-hole. A breathable membrane is coupled across the vent hole of the flexible substrate. A rigid plate having an opening is coupled to the breathable membrane, the opening of the rigid plate being aligned with the vent hole of the flexible substrate. A closed-loop sealing rib is formed around the vent hole of the flexible substrate and/or upon the bottom surface of the walled aperture of the housing enclosure. The assembly provides a vent path and a self-sealing enclosure.

First claim

We claim:

1. A venting and sealing assembly, comprising:
a housing;
a rigid substrate coupled by flexure bellows to the housing, the flexure bellows for enabling movement of the rigid substrate relative to the housing, thereby providing a moveable rigid substrate;
a vent hole formed in the rigid substrate for venting between an interior and an exterior of the housing;
a breathable membrane coupled across the vent hole of the moveable rigid substrate, the breathable membrane being pulled inward in response to predetermined changes in pressure being sensed between the interior and the exterior at the vent hole;
a flexible substrate having a closed-loop sealing rib integrated thereon, the closed-loop sealing rib being aligned beneath the moveable rigid substrate around the breathable membrane;
a vent path being formed between the exterior, the breathable membrane covering the vent hole of the moveable rigid substrate, and the flexible substrate; and
the vent path being automatically sealed in response to predetermined pressure pulling the moveable rigid substrate inwards thereby isolating the breathable membrane by the closed-loop sealing rib of the flexible substrate.

2. The venting and sealing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the vent hole of the moveable rigid substrate extends in a drainage cone formed into the rigid substrate for water drainage.

3. The venting and sealing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the breathable membrane is coupled across the vent hole of the moveable rigid substrate and adhesively coupled to the moveable rigid substrate with an adhesive layer having a cut-out aligned with the vent hole of the moveable rigid substrate.

4. The venting and sealing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the closed-loop sealing rib of the flexible substrate comprises a compliant closed loop sealing rib integrated thereon.

Assignees

• Motorola Solutions Inc
• Motorola Solutions Inc

Inventors

• Miehl Andrew P
• Akens Jody H
• Gilmore Peter B
• Kakiel Anthony M
• Kline Charles E

Classifications

• H04B1/3888 Primary

  Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers · CPC title

• H05K5/0213 Primary

  Venting apertures; Constructional details thereof · CPC title

• H04B2001/3894

  Waterproofing of transmission device · CPC title

• A45C11/00

  Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 (specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48) · CPC title

• A45F5/00

  Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping · CPC title