Portable electronic device with an impact-detecting function

• US 7,375,645 B2
• Filed: 11/21/2005
• Issued: 05/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BenQ Corporation (Qisda Corporation)
• Original Assignee: BenQ Corporation (Qisda Corporation)
• Inventors: Tsai, Teng-Yi
• Primary Examiner(s): TWEEL JR, JOHN ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US11/164,398
• Publication Number:
  US 20060229055A1
• Time in Patent Office: 911 Days
• Field of Search: 340/665, 340/440, 340/429, 340/545.5, 340/566, 340/568.1, 340/689, 455/410
• US Class Current: 340/665
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/0052 measuring forces due to impact G01L5/0061, G01L5/14 take precedence; impact testing of structures G01M7/08; impact testing of material G01N3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/036 for indicating predetermined acceleration values
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/0891 with indication of predetermined acceleration values G01P15/135 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/18 in two or more dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/0286 having a weak point breaking or uncoupling on abnormal external force
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/14 Switches operated by change of acceleration, e.g. by shock or vibration, inertia switch wherein the liquid constitutes a contact of the switch H01H29/002
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0202 Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/24 Arrangements for testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10

Abstract

A portable electronic device includes a housing, and a fragment mechanism installed inside the housing. The fragment mechanism includes a first fragment, and a second fragment pressing against the first fragment. The first fragment is capable of being separated from the second fragment when an impulsive force greater than a critical impulsive force is applied to the portable electronic device.

Claims

1. A portable handheld electronic device comprising:

a housing; and

a fragment mechanism installed inside the housing, the fragment mechanism comprising;

a first fragment; and

a second fragment pressing against the first fragment;

wherein the first fragment is capable of separating from a bottom of the second fragment when an impulsive force greater than a critical impulsive force is applied to the portable handheld electronic device.

2. The portable handheld electronic device of claim 1 further comprising a control module installed inside the housing for controlling operation of the portable handheld electronic device, and a detection circuit installed inside the housing and coupled to the control module for outputting a detection signal to the control module according to whether the first fragment contacts with the second fragment.

3. The portable handheld electronic device of claim 2 wherein the detection circuit is capable of outputting a separation detection signal to the control module when the first fragment separates from the second fragment.

4. The portable handheld electronic device of claim 3 further comprising a warning interface coupled to the control module wherein the control module controls the warning interface to present a warning message when the control module receives the separation detection signal from the detection circuit.

5. The portable handheld electronic device of claim 4 wherein the warning interface is a display module.

6. The portable handheld electronic device of claim 1 wherein the first fragment and the second fragment are made of metal.

7. The portable handheld electronic device of claim 1 wherein the fragment mechanism is connected to the inner surface of the housing.

8. The portable handheld electronic device of claim 7 wherein the fragment mechanism is connected to the inner surface of the housing with a surface mounting technique.

9. The portable handheld electronic device of claim 7 wherein the fragment mechanism is connected with the inner surface of the housing as a monolithic structure.

10. The portable handheld electronic device of claim 7 wherein the fragment mechanism is wedged in the inner surface of the housing.

11. The portable handheld electronic device of claim 7 wherein the fragment mechanism is attached to the inner surface of the housing by a thermit welding method.

12. The portable handheld electronic device of claim 1 being a mobile phone.

13. The portable handheld electronic device of claim 1 being a personal digital assistant (PDA).