Electronic display suitable for submersion

• US 20150070825A1
• Filed: 09/10/2013
• Published: 03/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Suunto Oy (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Suunto Oy (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Perko, Panu, Sepanniitty, Mikko, Savolainen, Tapio
• Granted Patent: US 9,990,000 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.26
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 17/045 Mounting of the display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing

Abstract

There is disclosed herein a water tight submersible electronic device, such as a dive computer or a dive watch, comprising a case, a bezel, and glass through which a display can be viewed. The glass, case and bezel can all be different materials. The bezel is affixed to the case, in a permanent or removable manner, and has an opening for the glass and an electronic display. The electronic display is positioned under the glass and within the electronic device. For example, the glass is separated from and locked to the bezel by at least a locking ring, a shock absorber and/or a gasket. As such the glass can be free floating so that it and the bezel can deform under pressure without being damaged or causing damage to each other while maintaining a water tight connection.

Claims

1. A water tight submersible electronic device comprising;

a case,

a bezel, having an opening for an electronic display, affixed to the case,

an electronic display, positioned under a piece of glass, at least partially within the opening of the bezel, and

at least one electronic component,

wherein the display is attached to a surface of the glass within the device, and

the glass is separated from and locked to the bezel by at least a locking ring surrounding the perimeter of the glass, and

wherein the glass is free floating within the opening of the bezel.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the opening in the bezel comprises a first opening having dimensions larger than those of the glass and interior walls within the first opening having a height greater than or equal to the thickness of the glass.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the opening in the bezel further comprises a second opening having dimensions smaller than those of the glass forming a lip which supports the glass within the first opening, and wherein the device further comprises a shock absorber between the lip and the glass.

4. A device according to claim 2, wherein the interior walls of the first opening of the bezel comprise a notch, the locking ring comprises a corresponding protrusion, and wherein the notch and protrusion at least partially facilitate the locking of the glass to the bezel.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the glass is flexibly separated at all points from and water tightly locked to the bezel by at least the locking ring and a gasket between the perimeter of the glass and the perimeter of the opening of the bezel.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic display is mounted to the glass by an optically clear adhesive.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the optically clear adhesive completely supports the electronic display within the device, and wherein the electronic display is electrically connected to the at least one electronic component via a flexible electrical connection.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one electronic component is not directly or indirectly supported by the bezel.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein at least a top surface of the glass is beveled and wherein a portion of the locking ring in contact with the bevel of the glass has a substantially similar slope.

10. A device according to claim 1, wherein the locking ring further comprises two wall portions separated by a gap.

12. A device according to claim 1, wherein the Youngs modulus of the locking ring is between 1 GPa and 4 GPa.

11. (canceled)