COMPONENT PROTECTIVE OVERMOLDING USING PROTECTIVE EXTERNAL COATINGS

• US 20160050776A1
• Filed: 08/12/2013
• Published: 02/18/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: JB IP Acquisitions LLC
• Original Assignee: AliphCom, Inc. (AliphCom Corp.)
• Inventors: DRYSDALE, Richard Lee, ORVIS, Skip Thomas, LEVINSON, Nora Elam, FULLAM, Scott
• Application Number:
  US14/421,815
• Publication Number:
  US 20160050776A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 17/02 Component assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/56 Encapsulations, e.g. encapsulation layers, coatings
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/3135 Double encapsulation or coating and encapsulation
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0217 Mechanical details of casings covers, lids, hoods or members for covering apertures H05K5/03

Abstract

Techniques for component protective overmolding using protective external coatings include a device having a framework configured to be worn, a button assembly coupled to the framework, the button assembly configured to send a signal to a circuit, the button assembly including a button configured to be depressed to displace a button shaft, a button inner housing coupled to the button and the button shaft, and a button outer housing coupled to the button inner housing, a first ring configured to form a first seal disposed substantially between the button inner housing and the button shaft, a second ring configured to form a second seal disposed substantially between the button inner housing and the button outer housing, and an outer molding formed over a portion of the button assembly.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a framework configured to be worn;

a button assembly coupled to the framework, the button assembly configured to send a signal to a circuit, the button assembly including a button configured to be depressed to displace a button shaft, a button inner housing coupled to the button and the button shaft, and a button outer housing coupled to the button inner housing;

a first ring configured to form a first seal disposed substantially between the button inner housing and the button shaft;

a second ring configured to form a second seal disposed substantially between the button inner housing and the button outer housing; and

an outer molding formed over a portion of the button assembly.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a switch configured to connect a voltage from a voltage source to the circuit.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the button assembly is configured to activate one or more sensors.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a dome switch configured to form a waterproof seal against the circuit.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a circuit support base configured to maintain a portion of the circuit flat against the switch.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a button shaft spacer configured to create additional space between the button shaft and the circuit, wherein electrostatic discharge events are reduced using the button shaft spacer.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the first seal is waterproof.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the second seal is waterproof.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the first seal is water-resistant.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the second seal is water-resistant.

11. A device, comprising:

a framework configured to be worn;

a button assembly coupled to the framework, the button assembly configured to send a signal to a circuit, the button assembly including a button configured to be depressed to displace a button shaft, a button inner housing coupled to the button and the button shaft, and a button outer housing coupled to the button inner housing;

one or more rings each configured to form a seal disposed substantially between two or more parts of the button assembly;

a protective material applied substantially over one or more elements coupled to the framework; and

one or more moldings formed over the framework, the protective material and the one or more elements, after the protective material has been applied, at least one of the one or more moldings having a protective property.

12. The device of claim 11, further comprising a switch configured to connect a voltage from a voltage source to the circuit.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the button assembly is configured to activate one or more sensors.

14. The device of claim 11, further comprising a dome switch configured to form a waterproof seal against the circuit.

15. The device of claim 11, further comprising a circuit support base configured to maintain a portion of the circuit flat against the switch.

16. The device of claim 11, further comprising a button shaft spacer configured to create additional space between the button shaft and the circuit, wherein electrostatic discharge events are reduced using the button shaft spacer.

17. The device of claim 11, wherein the seal is waterproof.

18. The device of claim 11, wherein the seal is water-resistant.

19. The device of claim 11, wherein the protective material is configured to protect the one or more of the plurality of elements from damage occurring while forming the one or more moldings substantially over the framework.

20. The device of claim 11, wherein at least one of the one or more moldings comprises a medical-grade thermoplastic elastomer.