U.S. patent application number 15/231729 was filed with the patent office on 2018-01-04 for waterproofing device and distance sensor using the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to YU-WEN CHEN, YA-KUAN CHUANG, KAI-FAN LEE, YOU-YUN LEE.
Application Number | 20180003528 15/231729 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60805415 |
Filed Date | 2018-01-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180003528 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LEE; KAI-FAN ; et
al. |
January 4, 2018 |
WATERPROOFING DEVICE AND DISTANCE SENSOR USING THE SAME
Abstract
A waterproofing device installed on a distance sensor enables
outdoor operations of a robot or operations in wet or adverse
environments. The distance sensor includes a signal transmitter and
a signal receiver. The waterproofing device includes a protection
member installed on the distance sensor, and covers installed on
the protection member. The protection member includes sleeves
aligning with the signal transmitter and the signal receiver. The
cover includes a sieve plate covering one end of the sleeve to
prevent liquid from entering into the sleeve and a drain plug to
discharge any liquid incidentally entering.
Inventors: |
LEE; KAI-FAN; (New Taipei,
TW) ; CHEN; YU-WEN; (New Taipei, TW) ; CHUANG;
YA-KUAN; (New Taipei, TW) ; LEE; YOU-YUN; (New
Taipei, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD. |
New Taipei |
|
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO.,
LTD.
New Taipei
TW
HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
New Taipei
TW
|
Family ID: |
60805415 |
Appl. No.: |
15/231729 |
Filed: |
August 8, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01S 7/521 20130101;
G01S 2007/027 20130101; G01D 11/245 20130101; G01S 7/4813 20130101;
G01D 11/24 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G01D 11/24 20060101
G01D011/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 29, 2016 |
CN |
201610492374.9 |
Claims
1. A waterproofing device configured to be installed in a distance
sensor comprising a signal transmitter and a signal receiver,
comprising: a protection member installed on the distance sensor
and comprising two sleeves; and two covers installed on the
protection member and each comprising a sieve plate; wherein the
two sleeves are respectively aligned with the signal transmitter
and the signal receiver, and the sieve plate is covered on one end
of each sleeve to prevent liquid from entering into the sleeve.
2. The waterproofing device of claim 1, wherein each sleeve defines
a drain hole, the liquid within the sleeve is configured to be
discharged by the drain hole.
3. The waterproofing device of claim 1, wherein the distance sensor
comprises circuit board, the protection member comprises a securing
plate, and the circuit board is secured with the securing
plate.
4. The waterproofing device of claim 3, wherein circuit board
defines a plurality of securing holes, the securing plate defines a
plurality of limiting holes, a plurality of securing members pass
through the limiting holes to insert into the securing holes to
secure the protection member on the distance sensor.
5. The waterproofing device of claim 4, wherein the securing plate
defines two openings, the two openings are respectively aligned
with the signal transmitter and the signal receiver.
6. The waterproofing device of claim 3, wherein the distance sensor
further comprises a chip installed on the circuit board, the chip
is configured to control the signal transmitter and the signal
receiver.
7. The waterproofing device of claim 6, wherein the distance sensor
is an ultrasonic distance sensor.
8. The waterproofing device of claim 1, wherein the inner of the
sleeve is hollow and defines a passageway, which is configured for
the signal passing through.
9. The waterproofing device of claim 1, wherein the cover further
comprises a securing ring, and the sieve plate is received in the
securing ring.
10. The waterproofing device of claim 9, wherein the sleeve is
cylindrical and a cross-section of the sleeve is circular, a
cross-section of the securing ring is circular, and the diameter of
the inner wall of the securing ring is equal to the diameter if the
outer wall of the sleeve.
11. A distance sensor comprising: a signal transmitter; a signal
receiver; and a waterproofing device configured to be installed in
a distance sensor, comprising: a protection member installed on the
distance sensor and comprising two sleeves; and two covers
installed on the protection member and each comprising a sieve
plate; wherein the two sleeves are respectively aligned with the
signal transmitter and the signal receiver, and the sieve plate is
covered on one end of each sleeve to prevent liquid from entering
into the sleeve.
12. The distance sensor of claim 11, wherein the each sleeve
defines a drain hole, the liquid within the sleeve is configured to
be discharged by the drain hole.
13. The distance sensor of claim 11, wherein distance sensor
comprises circuit board, the protection member comprises a securing
plate, and the circuit board is secured with the securing
plate.
14. The distance sensor of claim 13, wherein circuit board defines
a plurality of securing holes, the securing plate defines a
plurality of limiting holes, a plurality of securing members pass
through the limiting holes to insert into the securing holes to
secure the protection member on the distance sensor.
15. The distance sensor of claim 14, wherein the securing plate
defines two openings, the two openings are respectively aligned
with the signal transmitter and the signal receiver.
16. The distance sensor of claim 13, wherein the distance sensor
further comprises a chip installed on the circuit board, the chip
is configured to control the signal transmitter and the signal
receiver.
17. The distance sensor of claim 16, wherein the distance sensor is
an ultrasonic distance sensor.
18. The distance sensor of claim 11, wherein the inner of the
sleeve is hollow and defines a passageway, which is configured for
the signal passing through.
19. The distance sensor of claim 11, wherein the cover further
comprises a securing ring, and the sieve plate is received in the
securing ring.
20. The distance sensor of claim 19, wherein the sleeve is
cylindrical and a cross-section of the sleeve is circular, a
cross-section of the securing ring is circular, and the diameter of
the inner wall of the securing ring is equal to the diameter if the
outer wall of the sleeve.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent
Application No.
[0002] 201610492374.9 filed on Jun. 29, 2016 the contents of which
are incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD
[0003] The subject matter herein generally relates to waterproofing
devices, and more particularly to a water-excluding device for a
distance sensor.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Mobile robots can be equipped with a distance sensor.
Relative positions of the robot and the surrounding environment can
be calculated out according to the time difference between a signal
transmitted and received, providing the basis of a determination of
robot movement. However, when the distance sensor is exposed to
water of other liquid false readings and interference signals may
happen.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] Implementations of the present technology will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached
figures.
[0006] FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of an embodiment of a
waterproofing device and a distance sensor.
[0007] FIG. 2 is an exploded, isometric view of the waterproofing
device of FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 3 is an assembled, isometric view of the waterproofing
device of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 4 is an assembled, isometric view of the waterproofing
device and the distance sensor of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of
illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been
repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or
analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set
forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the
embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by
those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described
herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other
instances, methods, procedures, and components have not been
described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant
feature being described. The drawings are not necessarily to scale
and the proportions of certain parts may be exaggerated to better
illustrate details and features. The description is not to be
considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described
herein.
[0011] Several definitions that apply throughout this disclosure
will now be presented.
[0012] The term "outside" refers to a region that is beyond the
outermost confines of a physical object. The term "inside"
indicates that at least a portion of an object is contained within
a boundary formed by another object. The term "substantially" is
defined to be essentially conforming to the particular dimension,
shape, or other feature that the term modifies, such that the
component need not be exact. For example, "substantially
cylindrical" means that the object resembles a cylinder, but can
have one or more deviations from a true cylinder. The term
"comprising" means "including, but not necessarily limited to"; it
specifically indicates open-ended inclusion or membership in a
so-described combination, group, series and the like.
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a waterproofing device
100 installed in a distance sensor 10. The waterproofing device 100
is configured to prevent liquid entering into the distance sensor
10. The waterproofing device 100 includes a protection member 20
and a cover 30 installed on an end of the protection member 20. In
at least one embodiment, the distance sensor 10 may be in a mobile
robot.
[0014] The distance sensor 10 includes a circuit board 11, a chip
(not shown) installed on the circuit board 11, a signal transmitter
13, a signal receiver 14, and a connector 15. At least one securing
hole 111 is defined on the circuit board 11. The waterproofing is
configured to be secured in the securing hole 111. The chip is
configured to control the signal transmitter 13 to transmit signal,
and the signal receiver 14 is configured to receive the reflected
signal. The chip calculates the time difference and distance
accordingly and transfers the results to the other electronic
devices (not shown) via the connector 15. The signal transmitter 13
and the signal receiver 14 are installed on the same side of the
circuit board 11 and a protection member 20 and a cover 30 for each
of the transmitter 13 and the receiver 14 are installed as a single
unit on the transmitter 13 and the receiver 14. In at least one
embodiment, the distance sensor 10 can be an ultrasonic distance
sensor or a laser distance sensor.
[0015] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate that the waterproofing device 100
includes a securing plate 21 and two sleeves 25 installed on the
securing plate 21. One or more securing members (not shown) pass
through the limiting holes 211 and are inserted into the securing
holes 111 of the circuit board 11 to secure the protection member
20 on the distance sensor 10. The securing plate 21 further defines
two openings 212. The signal of the signal transmitter 13 can pass
through one of the openings 212 and can return back to the signal
receiver 14 via the other opening 212.
[0016] The sleeve 25 is substantially cylindrical and a
cross-section of the sleeve 25 is substantially circular. The
inside of the sleeve 25 is hollow to define a passageway, the
signal can pass through the passageway. One end of the sleeve 25 is
secured on one side of the securing plate 21. The openings 212
communicate with the passageway. In at least one embodiment, the
sleeve can be secured on the securing plate 21 by soldering or
gluing. The sleeve 25 defines a drain hole 251. Any liquid within
the sleeve 25 can be discharged by the drain hole 251.
[0017] FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrate that each cover 30 includes a
securing ring 31 and a sieve plate 35 secured in the securing ring
31. The cross-section of the securing ring 31 is a substantially
circular. The diameter of the inner wall of the securing ring 31 is
substantially equal to the diameter of the outer wall of the sleeve
25. The securing ring 31 is configured to be installed on the other
end of the sleeve 25 to secure the cover 30 on the protection
member 20. The sieve plate 35 covers one end of the passageway. The
sieve plate 35 defines a plurality of through holes 351. The size
of each through hole 351 can prevent the passage of any liquid but
does not affect the passage of the signal of the signal transmitter
13.
[0018] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate assembly. The chip, the signal
transmitter 13, the signal receiver 14, and the connector 15 are
installed on the circuit board 11. One end of each sleeve 25 is
secured on one side of the securing plate 21. The passageway of the
sleeve 25 communicates with the opening 212 of the securing plate
21. The drain hole 251 is vertically at the bottom to conveniently
discharge liquid. The cover 30 is installed on the other end of
each sleeve 25. The sieve plate 35 covers one end of the
passageway.
[0019] The securing plate 21 is located on one side of the distance
sensor 10. The limiting holes 211 are aligned with the securing
holes 111 of the circuit board 11. The openings 212 align with the
signal transmitter 13 and the signal receiver 14. The securing
members pass through the limiting holes 211 into the securing holes
111 to secure the waterproofing device 100 on the distance sensor
10.
[0020] When the distance sensor 10 is operated out of doors or
application environments subject to agitated liquids, the sieve
plate 35 resists the ingress of liquid. Any small amount of liquid
entering through the sieve plate 35 into the protection member 20
will be discharged through the drain hole 251 so as to provide an
effective waterproofing effect for the distance sensor 10.
[0021] The embodiments shown and described above are only examples.
Many details are often found in the art such as the other features
of a waterproofing device and distance sensor using the same.
Therefore, many such details are neither shown nor described. Even
though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present
technology have been set forth in the foregoing description,
together with details of the structure and function of the present
disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be
made in the detail, including in matters of shape, size, and
arrangement of the parts within the principles of the present
disclosure, up to and including the full extent established by the
broad general meaning of the terms used in the claims. It will
therefore be appreciated that the embodiments described above may
be modified within the scope of the claims.
* * * * *