Waterproofing device and distance sensor using the same

• US 9,857,206 B1
• Filed: 08/08/2016
• Issued: 01/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cloud Network Technology Singapore Pte. Ltd. (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Lee, Kai-Fan, Chen, Yu-Wen, Chuang, Ya-Kuan, Lee, You-Yun
• Primary Examiner(s): Caputo, Lisa
• Assistant Examiner(s): Williams, Jamel
• Application Number:
  US15/231,729
• Publication Number:
  US 20180003528A1
• Time in Patent Office: 512 Days
• Field of Search: 73431
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/24 Housings ; Casings for instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/245 Housings for sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/027 Constructional details of housings, e.g. form, type, material or ruggedness
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4813 Housing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/521 Constructional features

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.

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.