Ergonomic solvent resistant portable computer

• US 7,821,782 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2008
• Issued: 10/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: Motion Computing Incorporated (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Dunn, Lorenzo, Doherty, John, Collins, Mike
• Primary Examiner(s): Gandhi; Jayprakash N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Edwards; Anthony Q
• Application Number:
  US12/028,458
• Publication Number:
  US 20090201636A1
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.21, 361/679.26
• US Class Current: 361/679.26
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• 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: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/203 for portable computers, e.g. for laptops
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/52 Elements optimising image sensor operation, e.g. for electromagnetic interference [EMI] protection or temperature control by heat transfer or cooling elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/632 for displaying or modifying preview images prior to image capturing, e.g. variety of image resolutions or capturing parameters

Abstract

A portable computer that is ergonomic and solvent resistant is disclosed. The computer may have an exterior surface that is made from a soft polymer, so that it will shield a user from exposure to heat while providing a positive tactile feel and shielding the computer from impact. The computer may comprise a number of input output devices with distinct controls arranged about the body of the computer so that a user may comfortably operate each the devices with one hand. The housing of the computer may be sealed, so that it will be resistant to liquid and particulate infiltration, and may be easily wiped clean and disinfected.

Claims

1. A portable computer, comprising:

a sealed exterior including;

a display;

a front cover sealingly coupled to the display;

a rear cover sealingly coupled to the front cover;

a first elastomer over-molded onto an exterior surface of the front cover, such that the first elastomer covers a majority of the front cover; and

a second elastomer over-molded onto an exterior surface of the rear cover, such that the second elastomer covers a majority of the rear cover;

a sealed area enclosed within the sealed exterior, wherein the sealed area comprises a heat pipe, but not a fan; and

an unsealed area arranged outside of the sealed exterior, wherein the unsealed area comprises a fan and a radiator, wherein the heat pipe sealingly extends across a boundary between the sealed area and the unsealed area, where the heat pipe is thermally coupled to the radiator.

2. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein the front cover is sealingly coupled to the display via a first compressible seal, and wherein the rear cover is sealingly coupled to the front cover via a second compressible seal.

3. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein the sealed exterior is substantially impermeable to water and dust.

4. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein the sealed exterior is substantially impermeable to a disinfectant, and wherein the sealed exterior does not degrade when contacted with the disinfectant.

5. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein the sealed exterior is configured to insulate a user from heat generated by the portable computer.

6. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein the first and second elastomers comprise a low durometer polymer, which is pressure pliable and resistant to solvents and solutions used to clean and disinfect surfaces.

7. The portable computer of claim 1, further comprising a handle located near a top portion of the portable computer above the display, wherein the handle comprises an opening extending through the elastomer over-molded front and rear covers, and wherein the handle enables a user to grasp the handle with one hand.

8. The portable computer of claim 7, further comprising:

at least two radios sealingly enclosed within the sealed exterior of the portable computer;

a camera sealingly enclosed within the rear cover of the portable computer;

a plurality of touch activated controls sealingly enclosed within the front cover of the portable computer, as well as within a first side and a second side of the portable computer, wherein the first side is located atop the handle, and wherein the second side is adjacent and extends perpendicular to the first side; and

one or more data capture devices arranged along the second side of the portable computer.

9. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein the sealed area comprises a temperature control system comprising one or more thermal sensors and a controller coupled for receiving input from the one or more thermal sensors.

10. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein the sealed area comprises a frame made of thermally conductive material, wherein one or more heat generating components of the portable computer are thermally coupled to the frame to conduct heat away from the heat generating components, wherein the front and rear covers are coupled to the thermally conductive frame, and wherein the first and second elastomers over-molded onto the front and rear covers are configured to protect a user from the heat.

11. The portable computer of claim 1 further comprising a removable cover that encloses the unsealed area, wherein the removable cover comprises a latch, which enables the cover to be removed from the portable computer by pressing on the latch.

12. The portable computer of claim 11, wherein the removable cover extends only over the unsealed area, and wherein the removable cover comprises a plurality of slots for drawing cool air into the unsealed area and venting warm air from the unsealed area.

13. A system for gathering data, comprising:

an electronics housing having an elastomer over-molded exterior and a handle comprising an opening located near the top and extending through the elastomer over-molded exterior, wherein the opening enables a user to grasp the handle with one hand, and wherein the elastomer over-molded exterior provides the electronics housing with a sealed exterior, which is substantially impermeable to fluids, cleaning solvents and solutions and dust;

two or more data capture devices sealingly enclosed within the sealed exterior of the electronics housing;

two or more transceivers sealingly enclosed within the sealed exterior of the electronics housing; and

two or more touch activated controls sealingly enclosed within the sealed exterior of the electronics housing;

a sealed area enclosed within the sealed exterior wherein the sealed area comprises a heat pipe and one or more heat generating components, but not a fan;

an unsealed area arranged outside of the sealed exterior, wherein the unsealed area comprises a fan and a radiator; and

wherein the heat pipe sealingly extends across a boundary between the sealed area and the unsealed area for conducting heat generated by the one or more heat generating components in the sealed area to the radiator in the unsealed area, where the heat is vented to the ambient environment.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the elastomer over-molded exterior comprises an elastomer over-molded front cover sealingly coupled to an elastomer over-molded rear cover via a first compressible seal, and wherein the elastomer over-molded front cover is further sealingly coupled to a display screen of the electronics housing via a second compressible seal.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the elastomer over-molded exterior comprises an elastomer, which is molded to at least a portion of an external surface of the electronics housing, and wherein the elastomer is pressure pliable.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the elastomer over-molded exterior comprises a polymer having a semi-crystalline structure, and wherein the semi-crystalline structure is based on at least one of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the elastomer over-molded exterior of the electronics housing seals internal components of the electronic housing from the ambient environment.

18. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

a stylus; and

a digitizer coupled to a display screen of the electronics housing, wherein the digitizer is operable to receive input from the stylus for controlling the two or more data capture devices and the two or more transceivers.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein:

the two or more touch activated controls comprise two or more discrete controls mapped to each of the two or more data capture devices; and

the two or more discrete controls are arranged along a surface of the electronics housing that is adjacent to the data capture device to which it is mapped.