Waterproof/drainage structure for a casing, and electronic devices

• US 7,365,281 B2
• Filed: 12/02/2005
• Issued: 04/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Chouraku, Kohei, Yamaguchi, Shingo
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedhofer; Michael A
• Application Number:
  US11/291,776
• Publication Number:
  US 20070074473A1
• Time in Patent Office: 879 Days
• Field of Search: 200/5.A, 200/512, 200/517, 2003021-3023, 200/341, 341/20, 341/22, 345/168, 345/169, 400/472, 400/496
• US Class Current: 200/302.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2213/008 Flaps cut out forming valves
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/18 Telephone sets specially adapted for use in ships, mines, or other places exposed to adverse environment H04M1/19 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/23 Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof by improving visibility H04M1/22

Abstract

Provided is a waterproof/drainage structure for a lower casing (11) having a plurality of pushbuttons (16) on a surface thereof. The waterproof/drainage structure has a cover member (14) forming the surface and provided with a plurality of button holes (14a) the plurality of pushbuttons (16), and a sheet portion (17) retaining the plurality of pushbuttons (16) at predetermined positions. The waterproof/drainage structure includes a button unit (15), in which the sheet portion (17) is arranged along a back surface (14b) of the cover member (14) and in which an outer peripheral portion of the sheet portion (17) is held in close contact with the cover member (14), with the pushbuttons (16) being inserted in button holes (14c) of the cover member (14). The sheet portion (17) is provided with a groove-like drainage channel (22) having a channel portion that is opposed to each of the pushbuttons (16) and is larger than a surface area within a maximum outer periphery of the pushbuttons (16).

Claims

1. A waterproof/drainage structure for a casing having a plurality of pushbuttons on a surface of the casing, comprising:

a cover member forming the surface and provided with a plurality of button holes; and

a button unit having the plurality of pushbuttons and a sheet portion retaining the plurality of pushbuttons at predetermined positions, the sheet portion being arranged along a back surface of the cover member and having an outer peripheral portion held in close abut with the cover member, the pushbuttons being inserted in the button holes of the cover member,

wherein the sheet portion is provided with a groove-like drainage channel having a channel portion that is opposed to a back surface of each of the plurality of pushbuttons and is larger than a surface area within a maximum outer periphery of the pushbuttons.

2. A waterproof/drainage structure for a casing of claim 1, wherein the drainage channel has:

wide channel portions that are respectively opposed to the plurality of pushbuttons and are larger than the maximum outer periphery of the pushbuttons; and

connection channel portions connecting the wide channel portions to one another, the wide channel portions and the connection channel portions being formed so that the wide channel portions and the connection channel portions are drawn in one stroke.

3. A waterproof/drainage structure for a casing of claim 1, wherein the groove-like drainage channel is formed by a protrusion protruding on the sheet portion.

4. A waterproof/drainage structure for a casing of claim 1, wherein the sheet portion is provided with a drainage hole discharging water exiting the drainage channel, the drainage hole being provided with a lid that can be freely opened and closed.

5. A waterproof/drainage structure for a casing of claim 1, wherein the drainage channel is subjected to water repellency treatment.

6. A waterproof/drainage structure for a casing of claim 1, comprising vibration devices vibrating the drainage channel.

7. A waterproof/drainage structure for a casing of claim 1, comprising a tank connected to the drainage hole.

8. A waterproof/drainage structure for a casing of claim 7, comprising a plurality of the drainage holes which are each connected to the tank.

9. A waterproof/drainage structure for a casing of claim 8, wherein the tank has a plurality of connection ports respectively connected to the plurality of drainage holes, the check valve being provided at each of the plurality of connection ports.

10. A waterproof/drainage structure for a casing of claim 7, wherein:

the drainage channel is divided into a plurality of drainage channels;

a path connecting the wide channel portions and the connection channel portions in each of the plurality of the drainage channels is formed so that the path is drawn in one stroke; and

the plurality of the drainage channels are each connected to the tank.

11. A waterproof/drainage structure for a casing of claim 7, wherein the tank has elasticity.

12. A waterproof/drainage structure for a casing of claim 10, wherein:

when the tank is pressed, the check valve at the exhaust port is opened and the check valve at each of the connection ports is closed, causing air in the tank to be exhausted to the outside from the exhaust port; and

when the tank is not pressed, the check valve at each of the connection ports is opened and the check value at the exhaust port is closed, causing water in the drainage channel to be sucked into the tank.

13. A waterproof/drainage structure for a casing of claim 7, wherein:

the tank has a plurality of connection ports connected to the drainage hole, and an exhaust port discharging air in the tank to an outside; and

the plurality of connection ports and the exhaust port are each provided with a check valve.

14. A waterproof/drainage structure for a casing of claim 13, wherein the exhaust port is provided with a filter that does not permit passage of water and permits passage of air.

15. A waterproof/drainage structure for a casing of claim 7, wherein the tank has a checking portion checking an inner portion of the tank.

16. An electronic device comprising a casing having a plurality of pushbuttons provided on a surface of the casing, the casing including:

a cover member forming the surface and provided with a plurality of button holes; and

a button unit having the plurality of pushbuttons and a sheet portion retaining the plurality of pushbuttons at predetermined positions, the sheet portion being arranged along a back surface of the cover member and having an outer peripheral portion of the sheet portion held in close contact with the cover member, the pushbuttons being inserted in the button holes of the cover member,

wherein the sheet portion is provided with a groove-like drainage channel having a channel portion that is opposed to each of the plurality of pushbuttons and is larger than a surface area within a maximum outer periphery of the pushbuttons.

17. An electronic device of claim 16, comprising a heat generating member provided inside the casing, wherein a wall portion of the drainage channel is in abutment with the heat generating member.

18. An electronic device of claim 16, comprising a heat generating member provided inside the casing, and a tank storing water discharged from the drainage channel, wherein the tank is in abutment with the heat generating member.