Devices and methods for protecting handheld electronic devices from electrostatic discharge

• US 20070230155A1
• Filed: 03/31/2006
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: LifeScan Scotland Limited (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: McCluskey, Joseph A., Christol, Jim, Kvenvold, Wayne, Tresoldi, Enrico
• Granted Patent: US 7,738,264 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/816
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 9/0015 Gaskets or seals
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 9/0067 Devices for protecting against damage from electrostatic discharge

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and devices for protecting electronic components of handheld electronic devices from electrostatic discharge. An electronic device in accordance with the present invention includes an enclosure having first and second housing portions, a mating edge connection between the first and second housing portions, an electronic component, and an electrically insulating frame. The electrically insulating frame is positioned within the enclosure and surrounds at least a portion of the electronic component thus providing an electrostatic discharge barrier between the mating edge connection and the electronic component.

Claims

1. A housing system for an electronic device for protecting at least one electronic component of the electronic device from electrostatic discharge, the housing system comprising:

first and second housing portions at least partially defining an enclosure for the at least one component of the electronic device;

a mating edge connection between the first and second housing portions; and

an electrically insulating barrier distinct from the first and second housing portions, the barrier positioned between the mating edge connection and the at least one electronic component of the electronic device when the electronic component is positioned in the enclosure.

2. The housing system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the mating edge connection comprises a portion of the first housing portion that overlaps with a portion of the second housing portion.

3. The housing system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the mating edge connection comprises a gap between the first housing portion and the second housing portion.

4. The housing system of claim 3, wherein the electrically insulating barrier is positioned adjacent to the gap between the first housing portion and the second housing portion.

5. The housing system of claim 1, wherein the electrically insulating barrier comprises a flexible material.

6. The housing system of claim 1, wherein the first and second housing portions comprise a thermoplastic material.

7. The housing system of claim 1, wherein the first and second housing portions comprise a dielectric strength of at least 20 kilovolts per millimeter.

8. The housing system of claim 1, further comprising an electronic component of an electronic device positioned within the enclosure.

9. The housing system of claim 8, wherein the electrically insulating barrier comprises a frame that surrounds the electronic component.

10. The housing system of claim 9, wherein the electronic component comprises a circuit board.

11. The housing system of claim 8, wherein the electronic device comprises an analyte measurement device.

12. A handheld electronic device, the device comprising:

first and second housing portions at least partially defining an enclosure;

a mating edge connection between the first and second housing portions;

an electronic component positioned within the enclosure; and

an electrically insulating frame positioned within the enclosure and surrounding at least a portion of the electronic component to provide an electrostatic discharge barrier between the mating edge connection and the electronic component.

13. The handheld electronic device of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the mating edge connection comprises a portion of the first housing portion that overlaps with a portion of the second housing portion.

14. The handheld electronic device of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the mating edge connection comprises a gap between the first housing portion and the second housing portion.

15. The handheld electronic device of claim 14, wherein the electrically insulating frame is positioned adjacent to the gap between the first housing portion and the second housing portion.

16. The handheld electronic device of claim 12, wherein the electronic component comprises a circuit board.

17. The handheld electronic device of claim 16, wherein the circuit board is at least partially supported by a groove of the electrically insulating frame.

18. A method of protecting an electronic component of an electronic device from electrostatic discharge, the method comprising the steps of:

surrounding at least a portion of the electronic component with an insulating frame;

at least partially enclosing the electronic component and frame within a housing comprising first and second housing portions and a mating edge connection between the first and second housing portions; and

positioning the frame adjacent to the mating edge connection to provide an electrostatic discharge barrier between the mating edge connection and the electronic component.

19. The method of claim 18, comprising overlapping an edge portion of the first housing portion with an edge portion of the second housing portion to provide the mating edge connection.

20. The method of claim 18, comprising supporting the electronic component with the frame.