U.S. patent application number 14/974774 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-22 for apparatus and method for venting and sealing a portable communication device.
The applicant listed for this patent is MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC. Invention is credited to Jody H. Akens, Peter B. Gilmore, Anthony M. Kakiel, Charles E. Kline, Andrew P. Miehl.
Application Number | 20170179991 14/974774 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58738037 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170179991 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miehl; Andrew P. ; et
al. |
June 22, 2017 |
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR VENTING AND SEALING A PORTABLE
COMMUNICATION DEVICE
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.
Inventors: |
Miehl; Andrew P.; (Boca
Raton, FL) ; Akens; Jody H.; (WESTON, FL) ;
Gilmore; Peter B.; (PLANTATION, FL) ; Kakiel; Anthony
M.; (Coral Springs, FL) ; Kline; Charles E.;
(PLANTATION, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC |
Schaumburg |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58738037 |
Appl. No.: |
14/974774 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 13/008 20130101;
A45C 2011/002 20130101; H05K 5/0213 20130101; A45F 5/00 20130101;
H04B 1/3888 20130101; H04B 2001/3894 20130101; A45C 11/00
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04B 1/3888 20060101
H04B001/3888; H05K 5/02 20060101 H05K005/02; H05K 5/06 20060101
H05K005/06; H05K 5/00 20060101 H05K005/00 |
Claims
1. A venting and sealing assembly, comprising: 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, the flexible substrate being coupled to the housing
enclosure across the walled aperture such that the vent hole is
offset from the offset-through-hole; a breathable membrane coupled
across the vent hole of the flexible substrate; a rigid plate
having an opening coupled to the breathable membrane, the opening
of the rigid plate being aligned with the vent hole of the flexible
substrate; and a closed-loop sealing rib formed upon at least one
of: the flexible substrate, around the vent hole; the housing
enclosure, upon the bottom surface of the walled aperture.
2. The venting and sealing assembly of claim 1, wherein the
flexible substrate is moveable relative to the housing enclosure to
provide venting and sealing of the assembly.
3. The venting and sealing assembly of claim 1, wherein the
closed-loop sealing rib seals the flexible substrate with the
housing enclosure in response to changes in pressure.
4. The venting and sealing assembly of claim 1, wherein a vent path
is formed through the offset through-hole of the housing enclosure,
the walled aperture of the housing enclosure, the vent hole of the
flexible substrate, the breathable membrane coupled across the vent
hole of the flexible substrate and the opening of the rigid
plate.
5. The venting and sealing assembly of claim 1, wherein the rigid
plate provides an external rigid surface area that is larger than
an internal sealing area created by the closed-loop sealing
rib.
6. The venting and sealing assembly of claim 1, wherein the
closed-loop sealing rib comprises at least one of: a compliant
closed loop sealing rib integrated with the flexible substrate
around the vent hole; a hard-stop closed loop sealing rib
integrated with the housing enclosure, upon the bottom surface of
the walled aperture.
7. The venting and sealing assembly of claim 1, wherein the
breathable membrane provides a passive pressure equalization vent
mounted in series with the flexible substrate which operates as an
active sealing valve mechanism.
8. The venting and sealing assembly of claim 7, wherein the rigid
plate provides gain to the active sealing valve mechanism sealing
pressure to securely isolate the passive pressure equalization
vent.
9. The venting and sealing assembly of claim 1, wherein the
flexible substrate operates as an active sealing valve mechanism to
form a waterproof barrier over the walled aperture of the housing
enclosure.
10. The venting and sealing assembly of claim 1, wherein the
closed-loop sealing rib limits travel of the flexible
substrate.
11. The venting and sealing assembly of claim 2, wherein force and
deflection characteristics of the flexible substrate and
positioning of the closed-loop sealing rib is tuned as follows: for
a normal use case: the assembly behaves as a passive pressure
equalization vent; and for a pressure use case: the flexible
substrate collapses into the walled aperture such that the closed
loop rib seals against the bottom surface, thereby isolating the
breathable membrane.
12. 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.
13. The venting and sealing assembly of claim 12, wherein the vent
hole of the moveable rigid substrate extends in a drainage cone
formed into the rigid substrate for water drainage.
14. The venting and sealing assembly of claim 12, 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.
15. The venting and sealing assembly of claim 12, wherein the
closed-loop sealing rib of the flexible substrate comprises a
compliant closed loop sealing rib integrated thereon.
16. A portable radio, comprising: a housing having a vent path
formed passing from an interior of the housing to an exterior of
the housing; a moveable substrate coupled to the housing, the
moveable substrate having a vent hole leading to the vent path; a
passive pressure equalization vent, formed of a breathable
membrane, mounted to an active sealing valve mechanism, wherein the
active sealing valve mechanism is formed of a moveable substrate
that automatically seals the vent path to create a pressure
sensitive barrier; and an internal rib sealing surface that limits
travel of the moveable substrate within the vent path.
17. The portable radio of claim 16, wherein the moveable substrate
comprises a moveable rigid substrate coupled to the housing with
flexure bellows, and the internal rib sealing surface comprises a
flexible substrate with a compliant sealing rib formed thereon.
18. The portable radio of claim 16, wherein the moveable substrate
comprises a flexible substrate coupled to the housing, and the
internal rib sealing surface is formed on the flexible
substrate.
19. The portable radio of claim 16, wherein the moveable substrate
comprises a flexible substrate coupled to the housing, and the
internal rib sealing surface is formed on a bottom sealing surface
of an internal wall housing.
20. The portable radio of claim 16, wherein the breathable membrane
is present both during factory testing of the venting and sealing
assembly and after shipment of the portable radio.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to venting and
sealing assemblies and more particularly to venting and sealing a
portable communication device.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Today's portable communication devices are challenged to
incorporate an increasing number of features into a small form
factor. Portable communication devices, such as portable radio
products utilized in the public safety market, are further
challenged by having to operate under severe environmental
conditions where maintaining appropriate venting and sealing of the
product is imperative to proper operation of the radio. The venting
and sealing of the ruggedized product needs to be operational at
predetermined pressure ratings not typically associated with
off-the shelf consumer type products. For example, ever-increasing
water submersion ratings for ruggedized products present venting
and sealing challenges.
[0003] Many of today's typical venting approaches have drawbacks
making them unsuitable for the portable radio public safety
environment. For example, air hole structures which are completely
passive for venting offer no sealing capability and thus no
protection in wet environments. Products which utilize membranes
that must be removed for test purposes face issues with improper
re-alignment and large venting structures take up too much real
estate and face potential leak issues.
[0004] Accordingly, it would be desirable to have an improved
venting and sealing assembly. An improved venting and sealing
assembly that could address the above aforementioned problems would
be of particular benefit for incorporation into a portable
communication device utilized in the public safety environment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0005] The accompanying figures where like reference numerals refer
to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the
separate views and which together with the detailed description
below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve
to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various
principles and advantages all in accordance with the present
invention.
[0006] FIG. 1A is a partial cutaway view of a venting and sealing
assembly having an open vent path in accordance with an
embodiment.
[0007] FIG. 1B is a partial cutaway view of the venting and sealing
assembly of FIG. 1B having a sealed vent path closed in accordance
with an embodiment.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a partial cutaway isometric view of a portable
radio incorporating a venting and sealing assembly in accordance
with an embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a partial cutaway view of a venting and sealing
assembly having a vent path in accordance with another
embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a partial cutaway view of a venting and sealing
assembly having a vent path in accordance with another
embodiment.
[0011] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the
figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not
necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of
some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to
other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Before describing in detail embodiments that are in
accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that
the embodiments reside primarily in a venting and sealing assembly.
The venting and sealing assembly can be incorporated into a
communication device, such as a portable radio or remote speaker
microphone, and is particularly well suited to portable
communication devices intended for the public safety
environment.
[0013] Briefly, a housing enclosure of the device provides an
internal walled aperture providing a vent path formed therein
passing from an interior of the housing to an exterior of the
housing. A passive pressure equalization vent, formed of a
breathable membrane, is mounted to an active sealing valve
mechanism. The active sealing valve mechanism comprises a moveable
substrate, which may be formed of a flexible or rigid material,
which automatically seals to the internal walled aperture or vent
path to create a pressure sensitive barrier in response to
predetermined changes in pressure. An internal sealing rib surface
limits travel of the moveable substrate within the internal walled
aperture. The venting and sealing assembly takes up little space
making it well suited for devices having limited space
constraints.
[0014] Accordingly, the components have been represented where
appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only
those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the
embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the
disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description
herein.
[0015] In this document, relational terms such as first and second,
top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one
entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily
requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between
such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or
any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive
inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that
comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements
but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to
such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by
"comprises . . . a" does not, without more constraints, preclude
the existence of additional identical elements in the process,
method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
[0016] FIGS. 1A and 1B show a partial cutaway view of a venting and
sealing assembly 100 in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 1A
shows an open vent path 102 in accordance with an embodiment, while
FIG. 1B shows a sealed vent path 104 being established in
accordance with an embodiment. Assembly 100 comprises a housing
enclosure 106 having a walled aperture 108 with a bottom surface
110 and an offset through-hole 112 passing therethrough. The
assembly 100 further comprises a flexible substrate 114 having a
vent hole 116, the flexible substrate being coupled to the housing
enclosure 106 across the walled aperture 108. In accordance with an
embodiment, the vent hole 116 of the flexible substrate 114 is
offset from the offset through-hole 112 of the bottom surface 110
of the walled aperture 108. The flexible substrate 114 may be
formed of a silicone rubber sheet, or suitable air impermeable and
water impermeable material that allows for flexible vertical
movement. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B, a closed-loop
sealing rib 124 is integrated around the vent hole 116 of the
flexible substrate 114.
[0017] In accordance with an embodiment, a breathable membrane 118
is coupled across the vent hole 116 of the flexible substrate 114.
The breathable membrane 118 may be formed of material having air
breathable but water restrictive properties, such as expanded
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material, for example expanded
TEFLON, or other appropriate material having air breathable and
water restrictive properties. For example, membranes made of
air-permeable and water-impermeable material, such as Gore-Tex.RTM.
material available from W.L Gore, are suitable. For the purposes of
this application, the breathable membrane 118 is considered to be
air-permeable and water-impermeable. The breathable membrane 118 is
adhesively coupled to the flexible substrate 114, such that
membrane covers the vent hole 116 providing a barrier to water
while allowing air to pass through.
[0018] In accordance with an embodiment, a rigid plate 120, having
an opening 122, is coupled to the breathable membrane 118, such
that the opening 122 of the rigid plate 120 is aligned with the
vent hole 116 of the flexible substrate 114. The rigid plate 120 is
formed of a stiffener material such as rigid plastic, for example
stamped or molded plastic, to provide sufficient stiffness to back
up the flexible substrate 114 over a closed-loop sealing rib
124.
[0019] During normal operation, the vent path 102 is formed through
the offset through-hole 112 of the housing enclosure 106, the
walled aperture 108 of housing enclosure 106, the vent hole 116 of
the flexible substrate 114, and the breathable membrane 118 coupled
across the vent hole 116 of the flexible substrate 114 and the
opening 122 of the rigid plate 120. The breathable membrane 118
coupled across the vent hole 116 behaves as a passive pressure
equalization vent.
[0020] In accordance with an embodiment, the rigid plate 120
provides an external rigid surface area that is larger than the
internal sealing area created by the closed-loop sealing rib 124
thereby providing adequate sealed backup. The rigid plate 120
provides gain in the valve sealing pressure to securely isolate the
breathable membrane 118 or in other words isolates the passive
pressure equalization vent.
[0021] In accordance with other embodiments, the closed-loop
sealing rib 124 may formed upon at least one of: the flexible
substrate 114, around the vent hole 116 and/or upon the bottom
surface 110 of the walled aperture 108 of the housing enclosure
106. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the closed-loop sealing
rib 124 is a closed-loop compliant seal rib integrated around the
vent hole 116 of the flexible substrate 114.
[0022] In FIG. 1B, the flexible substrate 114 having a compliant
closed-loop sealing rib 124 integrated thereon is shown
establishing a seal against the bottom surface 110 of walled
aperture 108. In this view, the flexible substrate 114 has
collapsed in response to a predetermined change in pressure sensed
through the breathable membrane 188 at vent hole 116. The sealing
shown in FIG. 1B isolates the breathable membrane 118. The
closed-loop sealing rib 124 limits travel of the flexible substrate
114. In accordance with an embodiment, the flexible substrate 114
operates as an active sealing valve mechanism to form a waterproof
barrier over the walled aperture 108 of the housing enclosure
106.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a partial cutaway isometric view of a portable
communication device, shown here as a portable radio 200,
incorporating a venting and sealing assembly formed in accordance
with an embodiment. Portable radio 200 comprises a housing 206
having an interior walled aperture 208 through which a vent path
202 vents and seals from an interior 260 of the housing 206 to an
exterior 250.
[0024] In accordance with an embodiment, a moveable substrate 214
having a vent hole 216 operates as an active sealing valve
mechanism. The moveable substrate 214 is mounted to the housing 206
such that the vent hole 216 opens into the interior walled aperture
208. A passive pressure equalization vent, formed of a breathable
membrane 218, covers the vent hole 216 across the moveable
substrate 214. In accordance with the embodiment, the active
sealing valve mechanism (moveable substrate 214) and passive
equalization vent (breathable membrane 218) automatically seal to
the interior walled aperture 208 to create a pressure sensitive
barrier--in response to predetermined changes in pressure.
[0025] In FIG. 2, the moveable substrate 214 comprises a flexible
substrate coupled to the housing 206, wherein the internal sealing
rib 224 is formed as part of an interior surface of a moveable
substrate 214. An internal sealing rib 224 limits travel of the
moveable substrate 214 within the interior walled aperture 208.
[0026] The internal sealing rib 224, as will be shown in the
embodiment of FIG. 3, may also be formed on a bottom sealing
surface of the internal walled housing. In yet another alternative
embodiment, which will be described later in conjunction with FIG.
4, the moveable substrate may comprise a rigid substrate coupled to
the housing with flexure bellows, and the internal rib sealing
surface comprises a flexible substrate with a compliant sealing rib
forming a base of the walled aperture.
[0027] Accordingly, the outer moveable substrate may be formed of
either a flexible material or a rigid material. The exterior
moveable substrate of the various embodiments gets pulled into the
housing aperture in response to predetermined changes in pressure
thereby forming a seal with the closed loop sealing rib. The
various embodiments provide for an active sealing valve mechanism
and passive equalization vent which automatically seals to an
internal walled aperture to create a pressure sensitive
barrier.
[0028] Changes in pressure can be caused by a variety of factors
such as, including but not limited to: moving from a warm
environment to a cold environment; from a cold environment to a
warm environment; inefficiencies of internal components RF and
audio power amplifiers (PAs) causing the air sealed within the
enclosure to be heated and expand; long duration, maximum rate
free-fall of high altitude low opening (HALO); rapid climbing
maneuvers in an un-pressurized helicopter; rapid environmental
decompression (for example, a cabin airliner).
[0029] An advantage associated with the various embodiments is that
the breathable membrane remains present both during factory testing
of the venting and sealing assembly of the portable radio and after
shipment of the portable radio, thereby eliminated any alignment
issues associated with removal and replacement of a membrane for
test purposes.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a partial cutaway view of a venting and sealing
assembly 300 in accordance with another embodiment. Assembly 300 is
similar to assembly 100 in that the assembly comprises housing
enclosure 106 having a walled aperture 108 with bottom surface 110
and offset through-hole 112 passing therethrough. The assembly 300
further comprises flexible substrate 114 having vent hole 116, the
flexible substrate being coupled to the housing enclosure 106
across the walled aperture 108. In accordance with the embodiment,
the vent hole 116 of the flexible substrate 114 is offset from the
offset through-hole 112 of the walled aperture's bottom surface
110. The breathable membrane 118 is coupled across the vent hole
116 of the flexible substrate 114. The rigid plate 120, having
opening 122, is coupled to the breathable membrane 118, such that
the opening 122 of the rigid plate is aligned with the vent hole
116 of the flexible substrate 114.
[0031] In accordance with this FIG. 3 embodiment, assembly 300
comprises a closed-loop sealing rib 324 formed as a hard-stop
closed loop sealing rib integrated as part of the bottom surface
110 of the walled aperture 108 of the housing enclosure 106.
[0032] Similarly to assembly 100, in assembly 300 the vent path is
provided through the offset through-hole 112 of the housing
enclosure 106, the walled aperture 108 of housing enclosure 106,
the vent hole 116 of the flexible substrate 114, the breathable
membrane 118 coupled across the vent hole 116 of the flexible
substrate 114 and the opening 122 of the rigid plate 120. However,
in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 3, as the flexible
substrate 114 collapses, under predetermined pressure, into the
walled aperture 108 against the bottom surface 110, the hard-stop
closed-loop sealing rib 324 of the bottom surface 110 within the
walled aperture 108 seals against the flexible substrate 114
thereby isolating the breathable membrane 118. The closed-loop rib
324 limits travel of the flexible substrate 114. The use of the
hard-stop closed-loop sealing rib 324 on the stationary, bottom
surface 110 for sealing purposes still results in an isolated
breathable membrane 118.
[0033] In another embodiment also shown in FIG. 3, closed-loop
sealing rib 124 (shown in dashed lines) and closed-loop sealing rib
324 may located on opposite upper and lower interior surfaces and
slightly offset from each other, for a dual rib approach if
desired. Thus, the closed loop sealing rib can be incorporated on
one or both of the interior surfaces (i.e. interior bottom surface
110 and/or interior of surface of flexible substrate 114). For
example, a combination of a hard-stop closed-loop sealing rib 324
and a compliant closed-loop sealing rib 124 can be used.
[0034] In accordance with this alternative embodiment, as the
flexible substrate 114 collapses, under predetermined pressure,
into the walled aperture 108 against the bottom surface 110, the
closed-loop hard-stop sealing rib 324 seals against the flexible
substrate 114 in conjunction with the compliant closed-loop sealing
rib 124 sealing against the bottom surface 110 of walled aperture
108, thereby isolating the breathable membrane 118. The closed-loop
sealing ribs 124 and 324 limit travel of the flexible substrate
114, thereby protecting the substrate surfaces, while providing a
seal.
[0035] The embodiments provided thus far provide for a venting and
sealing assembly wherein the breathable membrane provides a passive
pressure equalization vent mounted in series with the moveable
substrate which operates as an active sealing valve mechanism.
[0036] In another alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 4, a
breathable membrane provides a passive pressure equalization vent
to a moveable rigid substrate separated by a vent passage across
from an interior stationary flexible substrate. FIG. 4 is a partial
cutaway view of a venting and sealing assembly 400 in accordance
with this alternative embodiment.
[0037] Assembly 400 comprises a housing 406 having a moveable
substrate portion, formed of a rigid material. The rigid material
may be formed, for example, of the same or similar material to that
as the housing 406, such as a hard plastic or other water
impermeable material. In accordance with this embodiment, flexure
bellows 420 or other flexible interconnect means, enable movement
of the rigid substrate portion relative to the housing 406 and will
therefore be referred to as moveable rigid substrate 414. A vent
hole 416 is formed in the moveable rigid substrate 414 for venting
between an interior 460 and an exterior 450 of the housing 406. The
exterior 450 of the housing 406 is sometimes referred to as the wet
side of the radio, while the interior of the housing 406 is
sometimes referred to as the dry side.
[0038] In accordance with this embodiment, a breathable membrane
418 is coupled across the vent hole 416 of the moveable rigid
substrate 414. The breathable membrane 418 is coupled across the
vent hole 416 of the moveable rigid substrate 414 and adhesively
coupled to the moveable rigid substrate 414 with an adhesive layer
417. The adhesive layer 417 has a cut-out which aligns with the
vent hole 416 of the moveable rigid substrate 414. The adhesive
layer 417, may be a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), such as a
very high bond (VHB) adhesive or other suitable adhesive.
[0039] An internal rib sealing surface is provided by a flexible
substrate 410 having a compliant sealing rib 424 formed thereon.
The flexible substrate 410 is stationarily coupled within a walled
aperture 408 formed within the housing 406. In accordance with the
embodiment, the vent hole 416 of the moveable rigid substrate 414,
covered by breathable membrane 418 opens into the walled aperture
408 across from the flexible substrate. The closed-loop sealing rib
424 is aligned and beneath the moveable rigid substrate 414 around
the breathable membrane 418. In accordance with an embodiment, the
moveable rigid substrate 414 (exterior movable surface) has a wider
surface area than the flexible substrate 410 that provides the
internal rib sealing surface (interior sealing surface). The use of
the moveable rigid substrate 414 on the outer surface provides the
stiffness backing in a similar manner to that of the rigid plate
120 in the previous embodiments, while the flexible substrate 410
is located in the interior side 460.
[0040] In response to predetermined changes in pressure being
sensed between the interior 460 and the exterior 450 at the vent
hole 416 by the restrictive properties of the breathable membrane
418, the moveable rigid substrate 414 is pulled into the walled
aperture 408 against the closed-loop sealing rib 424 of the
flexible substrate 410 thereby isolating the breathable membrane
418.
[0041] In normal use mode, the vent path 402 is formed between the
exterior 450, the breathable membrane 418 covering the vent hole
416 of the moveable rigid substrate 414, the walled aperture 408,
through the offset vent-hole 412 into interior 460. In sealing
mode, the vent path 402 becomes sealed in response to the
predetermined pressure (pressure mode) pulling the breathable
membrane 418 coupled across the vent hole 416 of the moveable rigid
substrate 414 across the closed-loop sealing rib 424 of the
flexible substrate 410. Thus, venting and sealing have been
provided by the embodiment of FIG. 4.
[0042] In accordance with an embodiment, the vent hole 416 of the
moveable rigid substrate 414 may extend into a drainage cone 428
formed into the moveable rigid substrate for water drainage.
Alternatively, the moveable rigid substrate 414 may extend straight
out the vent hole 416, similarly to the opening 122 of the rigid
plate 120 of the other previously described embodiments.
[0043] Accordingly, there has been provided, a substrate (flexible
or rigid) that moves against a bottom surface of a walled aperture
of a housing and seals using a closed loop sealing rib thereby
isolating a breathable membrane coupled to the moveable substrate.
The internal sealing rib limits travel of the moveable substrate
within the interior walled aperture for sealing a vent passage.
[0044] The closed loop sealing rib may be formed on the interior
surface of one or both of: a moveable flexible substrate 114, such
as was shown by sealing rib 124, and an interior stationary bottom
surface 110, such as was shown by sealing rib 324. The closed loop
sealing rib 424 may also be formed on an interior stationary bottom
flexible substrate 410.
[0045] For a normal use case, in each of the embodiments, force and
deflection characteristics of the moveable outer substrate
(flexible 114, 214 or rigid 414 outer substrate) and positioning of
the one or more interior closed-loop ribs (124, 224, 324, 424)
provide for the valve mechanism. For a pressure use case: the
movable substrate (flexible 114, 214 or rigid 414) collapses into
the walled aperture such that the closed loop rib seals the bottom
surface, thereby isolating the breathable membrane (118, 218 or
418). In other words the pressure use case isolates the passive
pressure equalization vent.
[0046] The self-pressure equalization provided by the assembly
provides for automatic venting and sealing. The venting and sealing
assembly is easy to test in that the breathable membrane 118, 218,
318, 418 need not be removed from the radio system prior to vacuum
test, eliminating post-test alignment issues. A vacuum test can be
performed during assembly of the product as opposed to just the
membrane, thus advantageously allowing for the detection of even
small leaks. No disabling of the breathable membrane, such as with
water, is needed, during testing, thereby facilitating testing in a
dry environment. Accordingly, there has been provided a waterproof
venting and sealing system incorporated into a single portable
communication device having a limited spatial form factor.
[0047] Any communication device where ruggedness and good sealing
in a small form factor are desired can benefit from the venting and
sealing assembly apparatus of the various embodiments.
[0048] In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the
present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary
skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes
can be made without departing from the scope of the present
invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the
specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative
rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are
intended to be included within the scope of present invention. The
benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s)
that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or
become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical,
required, or essential features or elements of any or all the
claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims
including any amendments made during the pendency of this
application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.
* * * * *